The life of Blessed John Berchmans, of the Society of Jesus

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THE LIFE

OF

OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

THANSIAT KD FROM THE FRENCH.

WITH AN APPENDIX,

smiffl AW ÀCOOUWT OF THE .MtBACL.ES AFTER DEATH, WirTCH
HAVE SEEK APPROVED BV THE lloLY SEE.

FROM THE ITALIAN OF FA ' HER BOCRO 5 J

PUBLISHED WITH TUB APPROBATION OF

THE RT. REV. BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA.

PETER F. CUNNINGHAM, Catholic E..okwUet>

No. tlS Sooth Third Stroei.

i mk

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THE LIFE

°»

BLESSED JOHN 'BERCHM ANS, -

OF THE 80CIETY OF JE8U8*

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
WITH AN APPENDIX,

GIVING AN ACCOUNT OP THE MIRACLES AFTER DEATH, WHICH
HAVE BEEN APPROVED BT THE HOLY SEE.

FROM THE ITALIAN OF FATHER BOERO, S. J.

PUBLISHED WITH TH1 APPROBATION OP

THE ET. REV. BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA.

9t0aMrt<«:

PETER F. CUNNINGHAM, Catholic Bookseller,

N«. fit Sooth Third Stow*.

1866.

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PERMISSU SUPERIORUM.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the rear 1866, by
PETER F. CUNNINGHAM,

in the Clerk’* Office of the District Court of the United States,
in and for the Eastern Distr ict of Pennsylvania.

Stereotyped by Theodore Brown, 605 Sansom street, Philadelphia.

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PREFACE.

The lives of those who have been eminent
by their virtues, and around whose names clings
the odor of sanctity, even after they have fin-
ished their mortal career and disappeared from
amongst men, are like beacon-lights upon the
great ocean-track of life, and at the same time
infuse encouragement, emulation, and confi-
dence into the heart of the sometimes discon-
solate pilgrim, who is still left to toil and
struggle on his voyage from time to eternity.
Some have dazzled by their brilliancy, others
have astounded by their austerities, and others
by the singular graces and privileges with
which God’s love has chosen to favor them.
To others again, God has imparted no special
prerogative of miracle, or ecstasy, or unap-
proachable sanctity; but has conducted them
over the beaten road of the virtues proper to,
and expected from their state of life, and has
rewarded their fidelity with the same crown,
that he deigns to place on the head of him,

(ni)

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IV

PREFACE.

whose grandeur of virtue and miraculous
power astonish the world. Amongst those
whose quiet, humble virtues have lifted them
even to the honors of the altar — whose merit
consisted in the exact and perfect observance
of Religious Rule — the Blessed John Berch-
mans holds a prominent position. He is a
model to old and young, but especially to
youths who are pursuing their studies, and
beyond all to the students of the Society of
Jesus, who have to pass through the same rou-
tine of study and discipline in which John
Berchmans sanctified himself, and merited
and finally acquired the title of Blessed. For
a long time this honor was withheld — there
was nothing extraordinary in him — all was
such as might have been accomplished by any
man of equal fervor, diligence, and fidelity.
There were no wonders of mystic and interior
life, no raptures, no visions, no miracles — all
was common, yet so perfect and absolute that
nothing seemed wanting to its perfection.
Virtues and miracles must go hand in hand to
convince the Church of the sanctity and reward
of those proposed for beatification and canoni-
zation. God himself intervened after the death
of the saintly youth, to show to the world his
approval of the virtuous life of Berchmans, and
his desire that he should receive honor in the

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PREFACE.

V

Church, and his memory be held for ever in
benediction.

The life of this blessed youth is indeed a
mirror of every virtue that can adorn the reli-
gious character, or that of a young student in
the world. After a virtuous childhood, in
which his rare innocence, piety, obedience, self-
denial, and humility made him already an ob-
ject of admiration to those who knew him, and
caused him to be pointed out by parents as a
model to their children, he entered the Society
of Jesus, at the age of seventeen years and six
months, that he might thus early make a com-
plete holocaust of himself to God in the sanctu-
ary of religion. His whole religious career
was confined to the short space of a little less
than five years. Yet during that brief period,
what admirable virtues did he practise I how
exact in the discharge of every duty! how
ardent in divine love ! how delicate in frater-
nal charity I how angelic in his communications
with God! how faithful to every inspiration!
how actively and steadily progressive each day
on the great highway of the divine service!
To him with eminent truth may the words of
the Wise man be applied: “ Consummatus in
brevi explevit tempora multa “ Being made per-
fect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time.”
He from the first was inflamed with an ardent

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ri

PREFACE.

desire of walking in the footsteps of Blessed Alo
ysius, whose wonderful life had just been pub-
lished. A close imitation of this admirable lover
of Jesus, this fervent, zealous, and irreproach-
able Religious, formed the ground- work of his
efforts to make himself a saint. Never was
copy more faithful to the original. Aloysius
seemed to live again. Those astonishing vir-
tues, which had for so long a time diffused a
spell of sanctity through the hallowed precincts
of the Roman College, and whose like were
never expected to be witnessed again, revived
once more with all their beauty and sweetness
in the person of John Berchmans. His modesty
was angelic, his prayer absorbing, his exacti-
tude marvelous, his diligence unabating, his
mortification unflinching, his devotion to Mary
most tender, his love of God most glowing, his
sweetness of character, blandness of manner,
sympathetic charity and humility of demeanor
enchanting to the eyes of every beholder, and
endearing him continually more and more to
the hearts of his religious brethren.

God has been pleased to raise up in the So-
ciety of Jesus three young saints, in rapid suc-
cession, each of whom is a model to youth and
a powerful stimulus to those advanced in life;
Stanislaus Kostka, Aloysius Gonzaga, and
John Berchmans. They each represent differ-

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PREPACK.

vii

ent ways of divine guidance, all animated by
the same spirit, embracing the same substantial
virtues, tending to the same glorious end, and
obtaining the same eternal reward. Those
who are not favored with the singular privi-
leges of an ecstatic Stanislaus, or who are ter-
rified at the austerities of an innocent Aloysius,
may find in the exactitude of Berchmans and
in his diligent practice of the ordinary virtues
of his state of life, not only an object of admi-
ration, but a model for imitation, and an un-
answerable argument of the practicability of
perfect virtue. John Berchmanp reached a
high and heroic degree of perfection ; yet how
did he succeed in this sublime undertaking ?
By a continual and vigilant guard over him-
self ; by carefully shunning the least deliberate
fault; by a filial and most tender love of
Mary ; by a full subjection, both interiorly and
exteriorly, to the will of his superiors, and to
every requirement of obedience ; in a word, by
following in all things the discipline of common
life, and observing with the utmost exactitude
even the least rules of the Institute. What an
incentive should not this prove to the acquire-
ment of perfection! The example of Berch-
mans demonstrates, that it is in each one’s
power to become a saint. God grant that so
bright an example be not lost on the religious

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viii *

PREFACE.

and secular world, especially on the youth of
our day On the contrary, may there be
thousands in every age of the world, till time
shall cease, who, by the perusal of his Life, will
feel themselves drawn after him in the sweet
odor of his virtues, and, walking faithfully in
his footsteps, receive one day from the reward-
ing hand of God a diadem, equal in brilliancy
to that which now glitters on the brow of the
Beatified Berchmans.

In now re-publishing, for the first time in
America, the “Life of Berchmans,” translated
from the French by the Fathers of the Oratory
in England, we have deemed it advisable for
the edification of the faithful to add to it, by
way of Appendix, the narrative by Father
Boero, S. J., of the miracles which were per-
formed through the intercession of the holy
youth, after his death. These miracles have
all been approved, after the severe scrutiny to
which they had to be subjected in the Process
for Beatification.

LAUS DEO SIT.

Loyola College, Baltimore, )
Feast of St, Agnes, 1866. J

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I

THE LIFE

OP

BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS, S. J.

BOOK I.

Diest, a small town in the Low Countries,
situated on the Demur, was the birth-place of
John Berchmans. He was born on the 13th of
March, in the year 1599, under circumstances
which seemed to indicate his future sanctity.
He was born upon a Saturday, the day conse-
crated by the Church to honor the Blessed
Virgin Mary, to whom he was to be so espe-
cially devoted in after-life. His baptism seems
to have been deferred till the following day,
that the servant of God might receive the grace
of regeneration on the day dedicated to the
memory of our Divine Lord’s resurrection. *He
was named John, by a particular dispensation
of Providence, who, designing to make of him
another John the Baptist, a child of grace and
benediction, had given him for mother a virtu-

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9

THE LIFE OF

oas lady named Elizabeth, and for father, a man
of singular piety, who afterwards (like Zachary)
was honored with the dignity of the priesthood,
Such were the parents of Berchmans, of eminent
virtue, much better provided with heavenly
riches than with the goods of this life, and
much more solicitous to procure treasures of
grace for their dear child, than the advantages
of fortune.

All their care was to bring up holily him
whom they acknowledged to have received from "
the Author of all holiness, and to whom they
frequently dedicated him at the foot of the
altar, earnestly praying that he might never
lose the grace of baptism by any mortal sin.
Their prayers were heard and granted, as the
sequel of this history will show ; the holy child
preserved the white robe wherewith he was
clothed at the sacred font unsullied even to
his latest breath. No sooner did reason begin
to disperse the clouds of his infant mind, than
his parents (who were his first masters in the
science of the saints) taught him to revere the
Author of his being ; engraving in his soul the
knowledge and love of Him, together with an
extreme horror of everything which could be
in the least degree displeasing to Him. He re-
ceived these salutary impressions with pleasure,
and faithfully corresponded to them. Equally

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

9

docile to the instructions of those who taught
him the first elements of grammar, he learnt as
easily the principles of it at school, as he did
the principles of piety at home. When he was
only seven years of age he would rise at day-
break, that he might have more time to divide
between study and devotion; and he used to
say that he found devotion an excellent prepa-
ration for study. Every day he served several
masses, and the facility with which he after-
wards applied to study, proved that his scho-
lastic duties suffered no loss from the length of
time which he had previously spent in the
church. As he grew in age he also grew in
grace and wisdom, upon the model of the Di-
vine Infant Jesus, to whom he had consecrated
his heart, and whose example he studied that
he might become a faithful copy of it: hence
he was an example to his equals, the admira-
tion of his masters, and the delight of his
parents. Child as he was, he never joined in
the amusements of childhood, nothing of levity
appeared in his conduct, and he never spoke
but on edifying subjects. The Holy Ghost, who
dwelt in his heart, (as in His own temple,) re-
gulated all its movements, and shed such an
unction on his words, that they touched the
hardest and consoled the most afflicted hearts.
His good mother experienced this during a

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10

THE LIFE OF

long and painful illness: on one occasion her
sufferings were so acute, that her patience was
almost exhausted ; Providence permitting that
her soul should be overwhelmed with a mortal
sadness, at the same time that her body suffered
excruciating pains ; in this distress a thought
struck her to call for her little angel, for such
was he then considered. No sooner was he by
her bedside, than she became immediately re-
lieved, the clouds of melancholy dispersed, and
she regained her usual serenity.

After she had experienced this surprising
effect, caused by the presence of her holy child,
she could not bear to have him out of her sight,
wishing to have him always at home : this was
also his own wish, because he found himself
secure there from the inevitable dangers to
which his age was exposed when absent from
home : he never quitted this happy asylum, un-
less the duties of piety or study called him else-
where. Without exaggeration, we may say of
him what is related of St. Basil and St. Gregory
Nazianzen ; that, like them, he knew but two
streets, one which led to the church, and the
other to the school. His disrelish of the world
was so great, that he would gladly have re-
nounced all intercourse with it, if his age (which
was only twelve years) had permitted it. He
had already renounced it in his heart ; and hav-

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMÀNS. 11

ing obtained leave to throw off its livery, he
very joyfully clothed himself in a clerical habit,
which he called the livery of Jesus Christ, and
which he had chosen for his inheritance. This
happiness was much increased when he was af-
terwards placed under the care of Peter Em-
meric, religious of the Premonstratensian Order,
and curate of the church of our Lady at Diest.
His house was a kind of seminary, where chil-
dren were formed, by the study of Christian vir-
tues and of literature, to become, later in life,
faithful ministers of the altar. During the three
years which our holy youth spent here, he was
a constant subject of astonishment to all, from
the maturity of his judgment, so much beyond
his age, from his angelical conduct, and from his
extraordinary love of prayer, which he so well
knew how to reconcile and combine with study.
These two duties completely occupied his time,
never sparing any to the amusements of his age,
which, however innocent they might be, he dis-
liked ; and when his companions were engaged
in them, he would slip away quietly, to seek the
company of God; resembling in this, and in
many other things, Tobias, of whom the holy
scripture records, that when children of his age
went to adore the golden calves, he left the pro-
fane troop of little idolaters, to retire alone into
the temple, to pay homage to the Lord. Berch-

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12

THE LIFE OF

mans did much the same ; and leaving his com-
panions at their games, he would withdraw to
some retired part of the house, and there pour
forth his heart in the presence of his Creator.
No one took offence at his conduct; the esteem
they all felt for him commanded their respect ;
and if by chance any of his companions re-
proached him for not joining in their sports,
the gentleness with which he always answered,
obliged them to own that nothing of ill-humor
or melancholy occasioned his love of solitude,
and that “ the Holy Ghost led him to the desert,
there to speak to his heart.” He made his first
communion about this time, preparing himself
for it with extraordinary fervor and by a general
confession, which, at his own request, he made
to his master. If the good religious had been
before charmed with the piety and assiduity of
his pupil, he was morê so now by the innocence
of his penitent ; scarcely finding, in a very exact
confession, a single sin which was matter of ab-
solution. “ I wept more than once,” said his
confessor, “ over the angel at my feet, himself
bathed in tears, accusing himself of the lightest
faults with the most lively contrition.” Being
thus purified by the waters of penance, he ap-
proached with a holy fear and tender love to
the Author of all purity, at a mass celebrated
by his master. The man of God assures us that

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BLESSED JOHN BEEGHMANS.

IS

he perceived something more than human in
the holy child at the moment he approached
the altar, which he did with so much respect,
and with a countenance so modest and inflamed,
that the angels must have been delighted at the
spectacle.

Our most amiable Lord, whose delight has
always been to converse with the children of
men, took a singular pleasure in the soul of
Berchmans, to whom He communicated Himself
without reserve, establishing His reign there
forever. This new possession of the Word In-
carnate, produced effects which every one per-
ceived and admired. Regular as his comport-
ment had always been, it became still more so
after this time of grace; he seemed to live in a
total forgetfulness of creatures, when so happily
possessed of his Creator. The world became con-
temptible in his eyes, his greatest desire was to
quit it entirely; his only consolation was in
solitude and silence, and all his happiness, the
fréquentation of the sacraments. He confessed
every week, and communicated every fortnight
at the least. He did not defer his preparation
till the day arrived, he always began it on the
eve ; and amongst other practices of devotion,
he never failed at night to throw himself at the
feet of his master, begging pardon for his faults,
hoping to obtain by this humiliation the graces,

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THE LIFE OF

which are always bestowed upon the humble.
In this good priest he considered only the per-
son of Jesus Christ. He did the same with re-
gard to all those who, like him, were invested
with the dignity of the priesthood ; he conducted
himself towards them, with a sort of religious
veneration, his faith and piety acknowledging
and respecting in them the sovereign Pastor of
souls. He never approached them with his hat
on, and when at meals with them he always re-
mained bareheaded, even in the depth of winter,
unless an express order obliged him to do other-
wise. His excellent master, Peter Emmeric, felt
almost equally distressed, whether he saw him
bare headed in the very severe season, or in offer-
ing violence to his humility by obliging him to
wear his cap; however, when he insisted upon
the latter, in order to compensate for the loss of
this little consolation, he would appoint him the
duty of reading at table, a duty which he exe-
cuted with great satisfaction, and which he
would have reserved for himself always, if it had
depended on his own choice. It had been his
custom from childhood, to have a book before
him when he took his meals ; and was so atten-
tive to this spiritual reflection, that he scarcely
heeded what he ate. He most frequently se-
lected as the subject of his pious lecture, the
sacred passion of our Divine Lord, to which he

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BLESSED JOHN* BERCHMANS.

15

was most tenderly devoted. It had been the
constant subject of his meditations from a very
early age. The Holy Ghost, even then, had been
his Master, teaching him how to speak to God
almost before he knew how to speak to men.
The same Holy Spirit, which had inspired so
ardent a love for Jesns crucified, infused into his
heart a love no less tender towards the Mother
of Jesus. He endeavored to show every mark of
respect and devotion to both, on all occasions.
As soon as he could compose poetry, he wrote
most devout and affectionate verses in their
honor. One of his school companions kept as a
relic, the translation into Latin verse of the Salve
Eegina, written by him. He had fixed certain
days to go and offer his devotions to the Queen
of Angels, in a chapel dedicated to her at Mon-
taigu, about a league distant from Diest. He
went alone, that he might be free from interrup-
tion or distraction ; and during his little silent
pilgrimage, he spent the time, partly in saying
his beads, and partly in meditating on the excel-
lences and grandeur of the august Queen, to
whom he was going to offer his homage. That
he might not appear in her presence with empty
hands, he used to offer with his heart some little
mortifications ; for it was his custom, on the eves
of his pilgrimages, to deprive himself of his
breakfast, and also of any little luxuries which

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10

THE LIFE OF

were given him, that he might regale the poor
in her honor, and have some little sacrifice to
offer her. Trifling as these sacrifices may appear,
they were very agreeably to this Mother of all
goodness, and she recompensed his love and
confidence, by frequent marks of her special
protection. It was doubtless this protection
which guarded his purity, and rendered it inac-
cessible to all the contagious attacks of the world.
He seemed not even to know the name of the con-
trary vice. He avoided every appearance of
danger ; and the smallest irregularity, either of
conduct or language, in any of his companions,
was enough to make him shun the company of
such a one forever after. But this seldom or
ever happened ; the presence of Berchmans suf-
ficing to silence indiscretion. It was this ac-
knowledged virtue which gained him the re-
spect of his equals, and a certain ascendancy
over their minds which always kept them with-
in due bounds. There was nothing imperious
in his manner ; yet all felt his superiority, be-
cause he had made himself master of their hearts ;
and whilst his piety and wisdom commanded
their respect, his mildness and affability gained
their affection. One only companion (whose evil
disposition was despised by all who loved virtue)
showed a great aversion to our holy youth ; he
lost no opportunity of ill-treating him, though

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 17

he, on his part, never gave him the slightest
provocation. Almighty God no doubt permit-
ting this as a counterpoise to the general esteem
in which he was held, in order thereby to exer-
cise his humility and patience ; both were un-
alterable under the rudest trials, so that his dear
companions were filled with admiration at his
conduct, as they were with indignation at that
of his tormentor. It was necessary to force him
from their arms when he quitted* the house of
Peter Emmeric, in obedience to his father, who
recalled him home, where a severe trial was
appointed him by Providence. It was caused by
amost u nexpected proposal on the part of his
father, who thus addressed him, “ It is impossi-
ble, my dear child, for me to continue the ex-
pense of your studies ; you must be resigned to
give them up, and choose some other state of
life more suitable to the resources of your family ;
I am well aware that this change will be a sub-
ject of great grief to you, as it likewise is to
me ; there is nothing which I would not gladly
do for your advantage, but I must do this in
the manner best proportioned to my means.”
Berchmans was overwhelmed by this intelli-
gence, and for sometime was unable to make
any answer ; at length, bathed in tears, he threw
himself at his father’s feet, beseeching him to
continue his pecuniary assistance some time

2

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THE LIFE OF

longer, adding, that in a few years he should be
devoted to God in the service of the Church.
“ It is to that,” said he, “ that I am called ; you
know it, my dear father, and you cannot resist
the Divine will, nor can I follow this Divine
will, unless I am enabled to continue my stu-
dies. You have too much submission to God,
and too much affection for me, to prevent me
from following a vocation on which all my hap-
piness depends, and perhaps the happiness of
our family likewise ; all this will be at once
checked if my education is to be discontinued,
since this is the only means to effect the desired
object. As to the expense, I beg you will have
no anxiety about it. I will economise so well,
that the family shall be subject to no inconve-
nience on my account ; only allow me a little
bread and water, with permission to continue
my studies, and I shall be content.” His father
was much affected, and convinced at the same
time of his vocation, he embraced his dear son,
and consented to all his wishes; in order to
accomplish them, he was placed most fortu-
nately under the care of a canon of Mechlin
Cathedral, named John Freimont. This was a
most providential arrangement for young Berçh-
mans; the excellent ecclesiastic, whose merits
equalled his distinguished rank, treated him
with the tenderness of a father, and supplied

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

19

those means which his own father was unable
to afford, furnishing all that was requisite to
complete his education : everything seemed to
concur favorably for this purpose; the libe-
rality of the illustrious protector, and the ardor
of the pious youth, together with the opening
of a new college at Mechlin by the fathers of
the Society of Jesus, seemed evidently to prove
the Divine will with regard to Berchmans’ vo-
cation. No sooner was this college opened,
than the youth of the town and surrounding
country flocked in crowds to attend its classes,
drawn thither by the reputation of the fathers
who directed it: it was universally believed
that Almighty God granted some special bless-
ing to their endeavors, in imprinting on the
minds of those committed to their charge, prin-
ciples of the most solid piety, at the same time
that they taught them human science. Berch-
mans felt a strong desire to partake of these
advantages : some obstacles arose to prevent it,
chiefly in consequence of some certain persons,
who, not knowing, or not understanding the
character of the society, misrepresented the con-
duct of its members ; but these obstacles were
soon removed; the discernment of the Canon
Freimont quickly appreciated their merits, not-
withstanding the calumnies raised against them,
and his pious scholar was most urgent in his

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THE LIFE OF

entreaties for permission to attend their classes,
in which he at length succeeded. Upon his first
examination, the prefect judged him capable of
rhetoric. He had scarcely studied it a month,
when his indefatigable application, joined to his
naturally powerful talents, gained him all the
prizes and honors ; he composed pieces in prose
and verse, which might have passed for the pro-
ductions of his masters. The father who taught
him considered him even then capable of teach-
ing others ; and all the college looked upon him
as a prodigy of talent for his age, and as a
model of piety and regularity of conduct. So
many good qualities (which his angelical mod-
esty seemed to embellish) struck every one there
with admiration, and soon procured his admis-
sion into the congregation of our Blessed Lady;
the father who governed it having as much
pleasure in granting this favor, as the virtuous
scholar had eagerness in asking it.

Berchmans 1 joy was at its height when he
was admitted into this pious association ; he was
delighted that devotion to his good Mother
should be so religiously observed ; and that at
an age when corruption so easily insinuates
itself, purity of morals should be so strictly
maintained, through the protection and assist
ance of the most pure Virgin Mother. He
engaged as many as he could to join this holy

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS.

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devotion, as well for their own advantage, as
to increase the number of courtiers to the
Queen of Angels. He fasted in her honor on
Saturdays and the vigils of her feasts ; he daily
recited certain prayers with this same intention ;
and at the beginning of each month he con-_
suited the father-superior of the congregation,
to learn from him what faults he should correct,
and what penances he should practise, in honor
of our Blessed Lady and his monthly patron.
He usually spent the greater part of the night
on his knees in prayer upon the bare ground,
which afterwards served him for a bed, on which
he took a little rest till day -break. Whenever
he had the happiness to communicate, it was
his pious custom to retire and pass two or three
hours in profound and silent homage before his
heavenly Guest, and return Him thanks for the
honor of His visit. Nevertheless, Berchmans
did not seek to establish his devotion on Mount
Thabor, he would follow our Divine Savior to
Mount Calvary, preferring the happiness of
sharing in His sufferings, rather than in His
honors. Every Friday he made the seven sta-
tions, to honor the mysteries of the Passion, but
anxious that the God of all love, whom alone
he wished to please, should be the only witness
of his devotion, he did not undertake it until
towards the evening, and then performed it with

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THE LIFE OF

bare feet, using for this purpose shoes which
merely covered the upper part of the foot, and
which he had arranged himself, that he might
more effectually conceal his penance from the
eyes of men. But God, whose pleasure it is to
exalt the humble, manifested the merits of His
servant in proportion to the pains he took to
hide them. A singular intervention of Provi-
dence, apparently in favor of Berchmans,
occurred about this time, which served not a
little to augment the esteem in which he had
hitherto been held; the circumstance is thus
related : Freimont, the pious ecclesiastic of
whom we have already spoken, returning from
a journey of devotion to our Blessed Lady’s
Chapel at Montaigu, accompanied by Berch-
mans, from whom he could scarcely endure to
be separated, unfortunately missed the right
path: this accident was followed by another,
which distressed him very much: a violent
tempest suddenly arose ; the atmosphere seemed
to be on fire; thunder rolled most awfully, and
lightning flashed most vividly ; and what made
his situation still more perilous and difficult,
was being in the midst of a thick forest, with-
out the slightest idea how to find his way out
of it. In this extremity, he recommended
himself and his companion to the guardian
angel of Berchmans, whom he considered to be

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMÀNS.

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little less than an angel. No sooner had he
done this, than raising his eyes he perceived a
female figure of gigantic stature on the top of
a rock' This monstrous woman rolled down
the precipice, and falling at the feet of our
holy youth, in horrible contortions, threatened
him both by words and gestures ; yet without
touching him, or doing him any injury. As
soon as she had disappeared, the storm ceased,
the air became clear, the sky resumed its usual
serenity, and the two pious pilgrims found
themselves at the entrance of a small village,
where, upon inquiry, they learned that the
woman they had seen in the forest belonged to
that neighborhood, where she was looked upon
as a sorceress, and shunned accordingly. From
all this Freimont concluded, that the spirit of
darkness (the declared enemy of all devotion to
our Blessed Lady) had probably raised this
tempest ; and that the angel guardian of Berch-
mans had appeased it, in consideration of the
innocent youth; to whom he attributed ever
after the preservation of his life on that danger-
ous occasion. As to Berchmans himself, he
was filled with the most lively gratitude, and
made a new offering to God of the life He had
so wonderfully preserved, making a resolution
to consecrate it entirely to the divine service in
a religious house. His soul was too precious

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THE LIFE OF

in the sight of God to be left exposed to the
dangerous contagion of a profane world. The
asylum to which Divine Providence and his
own inclination led him, was the Society of
Jesus. Although the order had only been
known to him about a year, he felt particularly
drawn to it. But to be more certain of the
will of God in his regard, he had recourse to
fervent prayer. He redoubled his penitential
austerities, confessed more frequently, and re-
quested permission of his director to communi-
cate twice a week, hoping to be thoroughly en-
lightened by Him who is the source of all light.
And that he might omit nothing to merit this
great favor, he distributed all the savings of
his pocket-money, amounting to twenty-five
florins, partly in relieving the poor, (whom he
wished to be his advocates with Heaven,) and
partly in procuring masses in different chapels
dedicated to our Blessed Lady, hoping, through
her intercession, to be assured of the good
pleasure of her Son. He frequently consulted
the director, of his soul upon the subject, being
convinced that he would be the organ through
which Almighty God would intimate His will
to him. He sought this knowledge with too
much good faith to be mistaken ; indeed, it was
imprinted on his mind too clearly to allow any
doubt as to his vocation to the Society of Jesus.

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMÀNS.

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He often said afterwards, that the epistles of
St. Jerome had given him a great disgust of
the world, with a strong predeliction for the
religious state; but that the Life of Blessed
Aloysius Gonzaga, (then just published,) had
drawn his affection completely to the society ;
that his choice became fixed by witnessing the
apostolic zeal of the Jesuits in Flanders, the
abundant harvest which they were gathering
there, their incessant efforts against the religious
innovators of France and Germany, and by the
news which * so often reached them from Eng-
land, that the fathers there had the honor of
suffering for Christ, being confined in horrid
dungeons, or put to a most cruel death, to which
they exposed themselves most willingly, in the
hope of regaining to the centre of unity innu-
merable souls which schism and heresy had sev-
ered from it. Being convinced that Almighty
God required of him to be a Jesuit, he bound
himself by vow to use all his endeavors to be-
come one ; and that there might be no delay
between the promise and its accomplishment, he
applied at once to Father Scribini, then pro-
vincial of the Flemish Jesuits, for permission to
enter the noviciate. The good father, who had
already heard of him in the most advantageous
manner, received his request favorably, and
gave him hopes of being immediately admitted,

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THE LIFE OF

if he could obtain his parents’ consent. To effect
this, he wrote them a most moving and persua-
sive letter, in which he tenderly conjured them
to opposé no obstacle to the execution of his
design, nor even to delay it ; he reminded them
that he owed it in great measure to their pious
instructions, of which he should be little able
to profit if he remained in the world, which
they had taught him to despise ; that, in fine,
he had vowed to consecrate himself to God in
religion ; that this was a promise made before
Heaven, consequently it was not lawful, either
for him to fail in it, or for them to oppose it.
He entreated them to reflect, that he belonged
to God, before he had belonged to them ; that
this great Master called him, and that he only *
waited their consent to answer to the call.

It will not be difficult to imagine the impres- '
sion which this declaration made on the hearts
of his affectionate parents : they loved this dear
child too tenderly, not to feel a lively sorrow
at the idea of losing him ; but they were ex-
cellent Christians, filled with the spirit of re-
ligion, and possessed of piety far surpassing the
ordinary number of secular persons. With such
dispositions, they were careful not to oppose
their son’s design of giving himself wholly to
God; they did not forget the offering they
had made of him to God in his tender in-

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS.

27

fancy ; they were far from wishing to disavow
or revoke the donation ; but they would have
felt much more satisfied had Berchmans been
content to serve God in the ecclesiastical state
in the country and diocese which gave him
birth, instead of choosing an order which so
positively renounces all ecclesiastical benefices;
they engaged the fathers of the Franciscan
order to repeat and enforce their reasons upon
the mind of their son: they did so after the
manner of true servants of God, not intending
to shake, but only to prove his vocation. And
having recognized it as the work of God, they
animated him to pursue it courageously and
faithfully. One only religious amongst the
number, (whose zeal was less enlightened, or
his judgment less profound,) acted differently.
He undertook to change his resolution; but
Berchmans having upon several occasions lis-
tened to his reasonings and refuted them thought
it was his duty at last to put an end to them,
grieving that a religious man should have un-
dertaken to plead so bad a cause; therefore,
without wounding in the slighest degree the
honor due to his order or himself, be begged
him to retire and spare himself the trouble of
any further visits or communication on the
subject. He sought and obtained his spiritual
strength in prayer alone ; it supported him in

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THE LIFE OF

all these dangerous occurrences, and at length
triumphed over the resistance of his parents.
Having obtained their consent, the provincial
of the Jesuits immediately granted him the
favor which his perseverance so well deserved.
He entered the society on the 24th of Septem-
ber, 1616, aged seventeen years and six
months ; he had for a companion in his happi-
ness, a young Fleming, who had formerly been
his fellow-student. These two were the first
fruits which the college at Mechlin gave to the
Society of Jesus. Berchmans thought himself
in the company of angels as soon as he had
joined the novices; the sight of them trans-
ported him with joy; he embraced them, and
received their cordial welcome with a sweet
and holy friendship. The frivolous ceremonies
of the age had no part in their mutual expres-
sions of regard ; pure and simple love of Jesus
Christ could alone unite the hearts of so many
young men of different nations and of different
characters, which were there dwelling together
in perfect union of heart and sentiment. A
prodigy of this nature, (happily so common in
the houses of the noviciate,) was immediately
perceived by our young novice, who was de-
lighted with it, as well as with all his new
brothers, whose example he believed would
teach him how to live for God alone. Filled

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

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with the idea of his happiness, the tears streamed
down his cheeks, sighs burst from his over-
flowing heart, and the terms in which he spoke
of the grace of his vocation, showed how highly
he appreciated it. When he had been but a
day or two in the noviciate, and before he had
been appointed to any of its arduous duties, he
saw one of the brothers digging in the garden.
“ Come,” said he, cheerfully to his companion,
“ let us go and help that good brother ; we
cannot better begin to serve Jesus Christ than
by practising humility and charity, of which
He Himself gave us so many examples;” and
taking up a spade, he began to work with great
diligence and fervor.

This virtue, (which is nothing else than the
love of God in its most active and most puri-
fied form, and which may consequently be
called the quality of the perfect, rather than
the virtue of beginners,) belonged pre-emi-
nently to our holy novice. The sole motive of
pleasing God ruled all his actions, and from his
first entrance into religion, he always aimed at
the highest degree of sanctity. . He had often
declared to his director, when speaking on the
subject of his vocation, that he hoped by the
grace of Jesus Christ to become a great saint.
“ I cannot conceive,” said he, with an inflamed
countenance, “how I could have any other

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idea in the holy society to which God calls me ;
and it seems to me impossible to be a member
of it without attaining to a yery eminent per-
fection so powerful and so numerous are the
means furnished by the rules in order to attain
it.” Faithful to his promise, as well as to the
graces with which our Lord had blest him, he
studied from the beginning to acquire and
practise the high degree of perfection to which
he aspired. There was no need of sparing him,
as there usually is with regard to certain weak
souls, who would soon become weary of our
Lord’s sweet yoke, unless some condescension
were shown them, to accustom them by degrees
to the things of God, which condescension,
joined to the example of others, enables them
at length to bear the weight of their duties
without feeling oppressed by them. We may
truly say of Berchmans, that he never exhibited
this weakness. Acting upon the important
advice of St. Bernard, he began by beginning
perfectly; being fully convinced, that it was
vain to expect he could become a good reli-
gious, if he neglected to be a perfect novice.
It was not that he performed any extraordinary
actions, but he had fixed deeply in his mind
this principle, (so necessary in a spiritual life,)
that perfection does not consist in great things,
but in doing well those duties which obedience

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

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prescribes. It was his grand maxim to perform
the most common actions in an uncommon man-
ner. The elder novices were surprised to see
that he had advanced as far at the end of the
first month, as they had at the end of two
years ; they could never sufficiently admire the
easy, fervent, and animated air, with which he
went through the duties of the noviciate,
adapted, as he seemed from the yery beginning,
to the order and regularity prescribed there ;
they all agreed in saying, that God had sent
them this dear brother, to be their accomplished
model of a perfect novice ; with this idea, they
all respected him as an angel, and one of them
good humoredly remarked, that at the time our
Blessed Lady began to perform miracles at
Montaigu, she performed one no less surprising
at Diest, namely, sending them an angel in the
person of Berchmans. It is true that he had
the purity, the candor, and the modesty of an
angel; something angelical seemed to shine
upon his countenance, which struck with de-
light those who beheld him. Moreover, he was
not one of those whose austere piety leads them
to suppose, that they cannot be virtuous but
in proportion as they are severe and gloomy ;
such conduct injures, rather than honors virtue.
In our holy novice, who was cheerful, polity,
and amiable to every one, devotion appeared

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bo full of charms, that to esteem and love it,
nothing more was necessary than to cast a look
on him. While he was thus causing virtue to
he loved for its charms, he loved and embraced
its rigors ; always choosing those duties which
were most humiliating and laborious : he set no
other bounds to his desires of mortification,
but those prescribed by obedience: without
offending against this virtue, which he believed
ought to be the rule of all other virtues, he
made it his duty to declare to his superior, the
ardent wish of his heart, that he might be per-
mitted to bear in his body the mortification of
Jesus Christ ; and he represented this in terms
so persuasive, that the master of novices thought
he could not refuse his permission to this
weakly constitutioned youth, of practising au-
sterities which he scarcely allowed to the most
robust. At the noviciate of Mechlin may be
seen, even at the present time, the instruments
of his austerities, which are carefully preserved
there as so many precious relics ; particularly
part of a rough penetrating hair-shirt which he
usually wore, and some linen stained with his
blood, caused by the severity with which he
used the discipline : he never seemed more joy-
ful, than when he was allowed to practise these
pious cruelties upon himself: he was equally
pioased to wear the oldest and worst cassock in

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BLES3BD JOHN BERCHMANS.

33

the house ; which he procured by his earnest
entreaties ; he always kissed it with great re-
spect whenever he put it on. But convinced
that these exterior humiliations were pleasing
to God, only inasmuch as they emanated from
humility of heart, he took care to carry a
humble heart under his humble habit ; and
happy as he felt, when clothed with it, he did
not consider that it made him at all more vir-
tuous. Ever watchful against secret pride,
which often slides in under an equivocal cover-
ing, he always endeavored to be animated by a
true spirit of interior abnegation ; so that when
he humbled himself before men, he humbled
himself still more profoundly before himself
and before God. He accused himself of his
faults, that he might receive correction and con-
fusion for them ; he sought them with the lamp
always in his hand ; and fearing lest self-love
should conceal them from his sight, he earnestly
entreated his companions to observe and ad-
monish him of them, begging his novice-master
to desire this act of charity at their hands.
This disposition proceeded from the high idea
which he had of the sanctity and infinite purity
of God; and also of that which He exacts from
those souls who have the honor of approaching
Him frequently ; a disposition quite uncommon
at the present day, when immortification is so

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general, that the most gentle reprimands fre-
quently cause severe wounds. Berchmans so
passionately desired reprehension, that he re-
quested his superior to appoint four of his fel-
low-novices, to observe and admonish him of
his defects. One day it happened that one of
them noticed a slight omission which escaped
him whilst he was engaged in some office of
charity which took up his attention ; never was
joy more evident, or gratitude more sincere,
than that of our holy novice; he looked upon
him who had admonished him of the failing as
his benefactor and friend ; he offered to God a
number of prayers for him, promising to re-
peat the number every time his companion
should exercise the same act of charity. The
greatness of the recompense animated his young
admonitor, who redoubled his vigilance, but he
declared afterwards that however careful he
might be in examining Berchmans’ conduct
with the strictest exactitude, he never could
detect a single fault ; this must appear surpris-
ing, but what follows can be considered as little
less than miraculous. The rector of the novi-
ciate relates the circumstances: “Having been
frequently solicited by the young novice to tell
him publicly of his faults, I could not refuse
him this satisfaction. Accordingly I desired
all the novices, amounting to nearly a h undred,

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 35

to mark down in writing whatever they per-
ceived defective in Berchmans. I then assem-
bled them together in the hall of the noviciate,
where having received and opened their notes,
not one of them contained a single complaint;
no one having observed the slightest fault in
him, which is the more surprising if we con-
sider the number of these young persons, all
beginners in a spiritual life, and of very deli-
cate consciences, which, joined to their natural
vivacity, would make them extremely liable
to observe the smallest faults in their equal,
especially if he be the object of peculiar esteem
or preference. The result of this meeting
caused much greater confusion to our humble
novice, than the declaration of the greatest
faults could have done. We were all obliged
to pity him in the affliction which overwhelmed
him, and to console him as if he had fallen into
some terrible disgrace ; in fine, all who were
present felt equally delighted and edified by
his innocence and humility.” The oldest and
most experienced amongst the fathers were
struck at his extraordinary virtue, and having
examined him attentively, more particularly
during the inexperience and vivacity of youth,
unanimously agreed that all the perfec-
tion, (suitable to the state and age of Berch-
mans,) which we read* of in the Lives of the

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THE LIFE OF

Saints, might be found in an eminent degree in
this incomparable novice. This was more par-
ticularly the opinion of his novice-master, who
knew him even to the bottom of his soul ; and
who saw, as with the naked eye, all his holy
dispositions. This prudent director was care-
ful to*conceal from Berchmans the good opinion
which he had of him ; being well persuaded
that to let him know his elevated state would
be exposing him to the danger of declining
from it; and remembering that this angel of
earth was not stronger than were the angels of
heaven, that, like them, he was liable to fall;
and that if they could not support the sight of
their own perfections, without being dazzled
by its splendor, it would be exposing his still
more fragile nature to the dangers of vain com-
placency, were he made sensible of the singu-
lar graces with which our Lord favored him.
The aim then of this good father was to con-
ceal them from him, by seconding, to the ut-
most of his power, the fervent dispositions of
his disciple, who strove to acquire the spirit of
self-abnegation, by the continual consideration
of his own lowliness and baseness. It is true
he was distinguished amongst his companions
by being named their admonitor-general, when
he had been only a few months in the noviciate ;
as such, it belonged to him to see that exterior

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 37

regularity was observed, to give the sign for
beginning their customary duties, to inquire
daily of their master what was to be done, and
then give notice to the novices accordingly. It
is true, I say, that this distinction was con-
ferred upon him in consideration of his merits,
but it was done with such precautions as were
much more likely to humble than to elevate
him. We may judge of his sentiments upon
this subject by his writings, which were found
after his death, in which he declares that he
was chosen to this office only because he was
the most unworthy, and to give him subject of
confusion, at the same time that it was a sub-
ject of mortification to his companions; that
this shadow of elevation might make his de-
fects more evident to all, and call for the charity
and forbearance of all. His dear brothers
found nothing reprehensible in his manner of
discharging this office, nor indeed in any other
respect ; on the contrary, his charity, his mod-
esty, and his kindness, delighted them, and led
them unanimously to declare, that whatever
marks of favor or consideration might be
shown him, he certainly deserved still more.
They felt happy to have him at their head,
saying, that though in age he was only their
equal, his eminent virtue made him greatly
superior to them. '

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This extraordinary sanctity, acquired in so
short a time, proceeded from his intimate union
with Him who in the sacred writings is called
the God of virtues. This God of all goodness,
who manifests himself so willingly to pure
souls, communicated Himself to Berchmans,
and enlightened him in all his doubts ; for he
made it his rule to carry them to the Blessed
Sacrament, when he went to pay his respects
there; and he never failed finding the lights
and the help he sought. His heart was ever
intimately united to this amiable Saviour. He
visited him as frequently, and remained as long
a time, as the regulations of the noviciate al-
lowed ; and to manifest the desire he felt of
being always in presence of the Blessed Sacra-
ment, he would, when compelled to leave the
church, beg of St. Stanislaus, or Aloysius, to
take his place there, and present his heart to
our divine Lord during the time that he should
be absent.

When engaged in devotion, either in the
church or in his oratory, he appeared pene-
trated with the presence of God ; his eyes were
either raised towards heaven, or closed to all
on earth; his hands joined before his breast,
always kneeling, and his whole person calm
and immovable. His countenance, which was
always serene, became inflamed during the

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

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course of his prayer. His companions would
endeavor to approach as near as they possibly
could to him, in hopes of sharing in his fervor,
or at least of being animated by his example.
On his part, he thought his prayers worth little,
unless they were united to those of his dear
brothers. So great was the esteem he felt for
them, and so high his opinion of their virtue,
that he hoped to obtain all he asked when his
prayers were supported by theirs. Three things
he most ardently prayed for, angelical purity, a
constant fidelity to his vocation, and grace to be-
come, one day, a worthy member of the society.
He felt a holy impatience to bind himself to it
by the vows of religion. He did so, a thousand
times, from the bottom of his heart, whilst he
was unable to do so in reality, because the term
of his noviciate was not expired. To console
him under the afflicting necessity of the delay,
he was permitted to make the simple vows of
devotion, a favor which is only allowed to the
most fervent. He had in his childhood made a
vow of virginity, in honor of the Queen of Vir-
gins, to whom he was most tenderly devoted,
as well as to her chaste spouse, St. Joseph. He
admired in them both their sublime greatness
and their profound humility. Their example
excited in him a great love for the latter, which
he looked upon as the foundation of all other

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THE LIFE OF

virtues. It was this that kept him perpetually
annihilated, as it were, in the lowly opinion he
had of himself; and being persuaded that he
had been received out of pure charity into the
house of God, he felt bound to look upon him-
self as the last and least of all. Fixed in this
principle, he had no fear of vain-glory, as he
himself owned to one of his companions, who
questioned him upon the subject, adding cheer-
fully, that he felt no dread of that beast.

A heart so humble, could not be otherwise
than obedient. Obedience was singularly dear
to him ; all that he heard upon this virtue, so
essential to a Jesuit, pleased him ; but nothing
delighted him more than the admirable letter
which St. Ignatius had formerly written to the
fathers of Portugal; the reading it had at-
tached him most tenderly to this great saint ;
he admired in it his exalted wisdom, illumin-
ated by the pure light of heaven ; and he re-
spected every word as an oracle. Like a worthy
son of so wise a father, he used to say that we
ought to obey in the smallest things, that doing
so served as .a preparation for the obedience
to be practised in the greatest, and that we
cannot better show our respect to superiors
than by executing their orders most faithfully,
even though they be of the least importance.
He was a stranger to those convenient inter-

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMAN3.

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pretations that self-love sometimes suggests, in
order to evade obeying strictly to the letter, he
always confined himself to the terms prescribed,
preferring that men should accuse him of want
of prudence, rather than give our divine Lord
the least reason to reproach him with a want
of submission. On one occasion, being sent to
the door by his superior to received a stranger,
who had asked for him, a second visitor ar-
rived during the time that he was speaking to
the first; he begged the new-comer to allow
him to go first and ask permission, before he
could begin to converse with him. He acted
in the same manner on numberless other occa-
sions; and he did it with so much sweetness
and modesty, that no one could ever be offended
at it. His manner of observing silence was so
pleasing, that it might not inaptly be called the
seasoning of his exactitude. Being questioned
upon his method of observing it, he frankly an-
swered, “ I respectfully salute every person that
I meet ; if any service is required of me, I per-
form it as promptly as possible ; if I am asked
a question, I answer in as few words as I can,
avoiding on my part, to say any words not ab-
solutely necessary.” It was likewise his cus-
.tom to salute the guardian angels of the per-
sons whom he met, stopping for a moment, and
stepping a little aside, that he might respect-

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42

THS LIPS OP

fully leave the path free; this was a mark of
deference and respect, in which he never failed,
and *he did it with so much sweetnes and mod-
esty, that every one was pleased to meet him.

This air of modest gaity accompanied him
everywhere. He never seemed dull or severe
but when the interests of purity seemed to re-
quire it, which very seldom happened ; for hav-
ing little or no commerce with the world, those
with whom he habitually associated, were far
removed from anything which could in the least
degree shock the strictest delicacy. Moreover,
his very looks inspired a love for this virtue ;
he neglected nothing on his part to acquire it
in perfection, or to preserve its lustre unsullied.
His delicacy on this point made him watchful
over all his movements, both during the day
and night ; he never changed his position when
in bed, however much he might suffer either
from the cold in winter or the heat in summer.
In order to keep the spirit of darkness at a dis-
tance, he besought the angels and his holy
patrons to watch over him whilst he slept ; he
armed himself with the sign of the cross, and
placed his crucifix opposite to him, that Jesus,
the Author of all purity, might be his sovereign
protector. As his last thought before sleep was
holy, so likewise was his first upon waking ; he
began and finished the day by profound adora-

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BLESSfil) JOHN BEBCHMANS. 43

fcion of the Blessed Trinity, and by an act of
homage to the Queen of Angels, whom he
looked up to as the grand protectress of his
chastity. He applied himself more particularly
to the practice of those virtues which are most
closely cennected with purity, contending with
his enemies incessantly. “I will wage war
against them,” said he, •“ and will never rest
until I have destroyed them.” Idleness, pride,
and gluttony, were the vices he most vehemently
denounced, because he believed them to be the
most dangerous to purity. It was his opinion
that we must combat them the first moment
we enter into religion ; beginning our spiritual
warfare by laboring to destroy them ; that the
most efficacious means of success will be to arm
ourselves with the virtues most contrary to
them ; that fervor is the most powerful remedy
against sloth, as humiliations and abstinence
are against pride and gluttony. What he coun-
selled with wisdom, he practised with fidelity;
he more passionately desired contempts and
abasement, than the most ambitious could desire
honors and esteem. His temperance was car-
ried to the highest degree, so that in his exam-
nations of conscience, he never could discover
on this subject anything to accuse himself of
in confession. So little was he concerned about
his meals, that he never so much as thought

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44

THE LIFE OF

of them until the sound of the bell summoned
him to the refectory, where answering to the
usual prayers and blessing, his look and man-
ner plainly showed that he was quite indifferent
to these material refreshments, and that he per-
formed, in an angelical manner, an action alto-
gether animal, being obliged to it by obedience
and by the necessity of nature. Whilst at table
his mind was in a state of profound recollection,
offering his meal to our Divine Lord ; in fact,
he partook of nothing that was placed before
him until he had offered it to Him, representing
to himself, (as it was found in his writings,) that
he fed the Infant Jesus in the persons of the
poor, to whom he always gave in spirit what he
retrenched from his own allowance. This idea
gave him great pleasure, and induced him to
deprive himself of the best things that he might
present them to the Blessed Infant. His youth
and delicacy of constitution, obliged him for
some time to take something in the morning ;
this practice was always accompanied by an in-
demnifying mortification, and by lessening the
quantity of food by degrees, he became able to
fast as long as the rest of his companions ; this
was a great satisfaction to him, because it allowed
him to devote more time in the morning tb
Almighty God. In recompence of this fervor,
he became in a short time so superior to the

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BLESSED JOHN BACHMANS. 45

wants of nature, as to attend only to those of the
soul. Pious reading, spiritual exhortations, and
sermons, were to him as spiritual banquets. He
went to them with eager, alacrity, and his atten-
tion and recollection plainly told how much he
desired to profit by them. He was for some
time much troubled by the temptation of sleep
and drowsiness, but his courage and self-denial
soon overcame it; sometimes he bit his lips
till they bled, at other times he pinched his
arms till they were quite discolored, and by
these means he contrived to banish sleep.
When his companions complained of feeling
drowsy during spiritual duties, he taught them
this method of rousing themselves, which had
succeeded so well with him. - It was thus that
these fervent novices communicated their little
trials to each other, and thus did our blessed
Lord teach them how to remedy them, even
during the time appointed by obedience for re-
creation. Berchmans had a peculiar talent for
rendering the hours of recreation useful, with-
out being too serious and grave; indeed, his
companions declared that one hour spent with
. Berchmans, was as profitable to them as the
hour they spent in meditation; whilst he, on
his part, said that the conversation after dinner
helped to keep him recollected until evening,
and that the evening recreation prepared him
for the morning's meditation.

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T£Q£ LIFE OF

His great delight was to hear and speak
about the Indian missions, particularly those of
China and Japan ; and the idea, that he might
one day labor there for the glory of Jesus
Christ (and perhaps lose his life for the cause)
transported him with joy, and made him weep
with devotion. The vast empire of China,
(whose provinces even may be considered large
kingdoms,) seemed to him most worthy of a
Jesuit’s ambition: his inclination led him par-
ticularly to that flourishing, yet singular coun-
try; he frequently spoke of it to his compan-
ions, who, like himself, eagerly hoped to labor
there in the vineyard of the Lord. Our holy
novice was not of the number of those who
nourish the futile hopes of some day perform-
ing great -things, and yet neglect to perfect
themselves by the practice of smaller virtues,
and by well performing their present ordinary
duties. He was convinced, that the noviciate
of the society was nothing less than a noviciate
of the apostleship; and that the candidates
labored in silence and retirement during two
years to sanctify themselves, only that they
might be qualified to labor at the sanctification %
of others during the rest of their lives ; and
that the most essential duty of a novice, is (by
the grace and help of Jesus Christ) to begin
betimes to lay the foundation of a stock of vir-

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BLESSED JOHN BEBOHMANS. 47

tue capable of sustaining the weight of the
apostleship. With these exalted views, he
never lost a moment of his time, and omitted
nothing that could help to fit him for so sub-
lime an office as the conversion of souls. He
joined to the other duties of the noviciate the
study of the French language, in obedience to
the orders of his master, who had observed his
facility in its pronunciation ; and he was most
assiduous in his application, because he thought
it highly necessary for the good of souls, espe-
cially in Flanders, where the people have so
much communication with France. He mas-
tered the difficulties in an incredibly short time ;
and was able to make little French discourses
in the refectory, as easily as if it had been his
native language. . One, which he made in honor
of his patron, Blessed Aloysius Gonzaga, sur-
prised all who heard it; and they were equally
delighted at his devotion towards the saint, and
the facility with which he explained and com-
mented on his virtues.

* He did not confine his zeal to the noviciate
only ; he was truly happy when exercising it
in the surrounding villages and hamlets, whither
the novices of the society are sent from time to
time to make little missions. Berchmans con-
sidered these missions his seasons both for sow-
ing and reaping, and abundant harvests every-

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48 THS LIFE OF

where attended his labors. He sought out the
poor in their cabins, and after consoling them
under their respective trials, he would conduct
them to the churcb, and there teach them how
to secure happiness m the next life by patience
under the afflictions of this. These good simple
people delighted to hear him speak of the
kingdom of God, and listened to him with ear-
nestness and eagerness. Fathers and mothers
led their little ones to him, who, gained by the
sweetness with which he taught them the Chris-
tian doctrine, received his instructions with
docility, and following him in crowds when he
left the church, would accompany him to his
own door, where distributing some trifling
presents amongst them, he dismissed them;
though his most precious gift was the treasure
of celestial doctrine, which he studied to im-
print in their young and tender minds. From
his care and solicitude for these poor unknown
strangers, we may easily infer how great must
have been his affection for his brothers in re-
ligion. He carried them all in his heart, and *•
shared in all their afflictions, receiving the
counter-blow of all their trials. Observing
that one of them was grievously troubled, and
tempted to quit the noviciate, he tried to con-
sole him, (having first gained his confidence,)
representing to him all the motives best calcu-

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

49

lated to fix and strengthen his poor wavering
mind. But perceiving that the agitation of his
companion was too great to allow of his seeing
his own danger, and that he was determined to
abandon all without delay, Berchmans, with
tears in his eyes, and in most moving terms,
besought him to postpone his departure at least
for a few days. Having obtained a promise to
this effect, he spent his time in most earnest
prayer, tenderly beseeching our Blessed Lady
to succor this poor fugitive, and to recall him
to his former sentiments. His prayer was too
fervent and too sincere not to be granted. The
novice recovered his usual tranquillity and
peace of mind, together with his former attach-
ment and devotion to his vocation.

Berchmans exercised his charity in the same
high degree towards all his companions ; and
so perfectly conciliated their friendship and
esteem, that he was the delight as well as the
example of all. He was ever most welcome
amongst them ; and they often declared, that
they never quitted his company without profit;
that his very look was sufficient to fortify the
weak, and to inspire fervor in the tepid ; and
that, like a talisman, he engaged all (even the
most indifferent) to love their Creator, with
whose love he was so powerfully inflamed ; he
became still more so as the time of his religious
4

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THE LIFE OF

profession drew near. He had now no ties of
relationship ; after seven years of heroic suffer-
ing, death had released his mother, and his
father was spiritually dead to him, having con-
secrated himself to God in the ecclesiastical
state. Berchmans being thus disengaged from
all that could attach him to this world, and re-
plenished with most holy joy, thought only of
preparing himself for the worthy consummation
of his sacrifice. He wrote to his father in
these terms : 44 1 am too near the happy day*
when I shall consecrate myself to God, not to
inform you of it ; I consider it the most glori-
ous day of my life, and I watch its approach
with most heart-felt consolation. This infor-
mation, which respect and gratitude require
that I should give you, will no doubt produce
the like sentiments in you ; for in fine, my dear
father, what an honor is it for you, that the
Creator of all things should thus distinguish
one of your children from amongst a million of
others, in order to honor him with His alliance,
and condescend to receive him into the society
of His Son I I entreat you to join your grati-
tude with mine, for this so great benefit ; and in
order to obtain the graces necessary for me, in
such happy circumstances, I beg three masses of
the Holy Ghost, to be celebrated in the Chapel
of our Lady at Montaigu. If you. add thia

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BLESSED JOHN BBRCHMÀNS.

51

favor to the many others I have received from
you, I hope that this spirit of love will inflame
my heart, and quite consume its victim.” It
was on the 25th of September, 1618, he offered
in the purest flames of charity his sacrifice to
God. He pronounced his .vows with the ardor
of a seraph, and immediately afterwards re-
ceived his amiable Lord, to whom he had just
given himself. This reciprocal donation filled
him with transports of joy, and banished every
thought but that of his happiness. He con-
sidered that he might, with a holy and loving
liberty, use those words of the sacred Spouse,
“ My Beloved is all mine ; and I am all His.”
The whole day passed in these transports ; it
was truly a solemn festival to him, and the
whole house was edified by his devotion ; no
one was more so than the master of novices ;
but he was not surprised, for he expected no
less, knowing, as he did, the dispositions with
which Berchmans had prepared for this great
and important act ; he had found them so per-
fect, that he did not judge it necessary for his
novice to make the spiritual exercises of eight
days, which is the usual practice of the society
previous to the profession ; his two years of
probation had been one uninterrupted retreat;

Thus finished the noviciate of John Berch-
mans, a moment which came too soon, if we

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THE LIFE OF

only consider the advantage and edification of
his fellow-novices. The idea of being sepa-
rated from him overwhelmed them with great
grief, and there was not one that did not weep
when embracing him in the final farewell. He,
on his part, gave every proof of sincere friend-
ship ; they mutually promised an eternal alli-
ance in Jesus Christ, and having nothing at
their disposal but prayers and good wishes,
they promised to offer them for each other;
after which they separated, the novices to com-
plete their term of probation, and Berchmans
to go and commence his studies in the college
appointed by his superiors. However, before
we enter with him on his new career, I cannot
omit an unquestionable witness of the perfec-
tion he had reached whilst only a novice, that
of no less a person than Father William Bau-
ters, the master of novices. Virgilius Cepari,
first writer of the Life of Berchmans, having
finished it up to the time of Berchmans’ reli-
gious profession, sent it to Father Bauters, that
he, who had been so intimately acquainted with
the virtues and interior dispositions of the
novice, might judge of the accuracy with which
it was committed to paper. We subjoin the
novice-master’s answer, as it will show the
esteem he had for his disciple, as well as his
opinion of the first part of his Life, which the

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 58

Italian Jesuit had sent from Eome: “I have
received, Eeverend Father, what you have
compiled of the Life of our very dear brother
John Berchmans, with all the respect and es-
teem due to its author ; and I have read it with (
all the pleasure which so edifying a work would *
naturally inspire. It would be impossible to
draw a portrait more natural, or more strik-
ingly resembling the original, than the one you
have traced. In considering the features, which
your pen has so faithfully depicted, he seems
to revive amongst us ; we recognise him, as ho
was, in the angelical character so peculiarly his
own, and which you have justly ascribed to
him. It is, I assure you, a real satisfaction to
all the Jesuits in Flanders, to recover in your
writings the angel we had thought to have lost.
To myself in particular, (who had the honov of
being his father in Jesus Christ,) it is indescri-
bably consoling to read his Life, and to recall
to mind the examples of virtues which eddied
all in this house. I admired him more than
any one, being obliged by the duty of my office
to penetrate the inmost recesses of his soul.
There was no difficulty in doing this ; his inno-
cent candor concealed nothing ; and it was with
continued and renewed astonishment that 1
observed the sweet benedictions and favors,
with which our Lord prevented him on the oner

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§4

THS LIFE OF

side, and on the other the faithful correspond-
ence of the docile servant. My earnest peti-
tions to Heaven, even them, were that I might
have grace, if not to equal him, at least to fol-
low his footsteps. I cannot conceal from you,
Reverend Father, the confusion I experienced
to see that young novice, so superior to myself
in sanctity; confusion which is renewed every
time I look upon and kiss a little picture which
he gave me when he was leaving Flanders, and
which he begged I would accept, as the pledge
of his eternal gratitude for all the goodness
which he believed I had shown him. What
confounds me most of all, is the inscription
which he put upon it, wherein he styles himself
my unworthy son. Alas! this worthy son
ought rather to have called me his unworthy
father ! being so far removed (after many years
of religious life) from the perfection he had
attained to, even in the commencement. I
cannot recall him to mind without blushing ;
and Lfear my confusion will be yet greater at
at the day of judgment, when, confronted with
my novice, I shall be found so different from
him, and so much inferior to him in solid vir-
tues. Whilst I reproach myself, Rev. Father,
for having profited so little by his brilliant
example, I reproach my memory no less, for
having forgotten so many striking instances of

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

55

his fervor. I sent you those I could collect, in
compliance with the order I had received from
Rev. Father-general, as soon as I knew that
you were preparing to write the Life of Berch-
mans. But truth obliges me to declare that
what I had the honor of forwarding to you, is
nothing in comparison of what I saw. What
I advance may perhaps surprise those persons
who measure the merits of saints by their ex-
terior conduct, but those who believe with the
royal prophet, that the beauty of the daughter
of Sion, (that is to say, the perfection of just
souls,) is quite interior, will not be at all sur-
prised at the manner in which I express myself
when speaking of the high sanctity of this
faithful servant. The little that appeared in
his exterior, bore no proportion to his intrinsic
merit, and of which I only was made acquainted
because I was his superior ; and as such, hold-
ing in his regard the place of God, he con-
sidered himself obliged, according to our rule,
to disclose the inmost recesses of his soul to
me. I there remarked the traces of Divine
Providence, which had from his earliest age
conducted him, as it were, by the hand in the
paths of grace, and which continuing to direct
him through the term of his noviciate, had led
him in an incredibly short space of time to
most eminent perfection. After having well
studied his character and conduct, I dare affirm

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56

THE LIFE OF

without fear of encroaching upon truth, that
from the day he entered into this house, until
the day he quitted it to set off for Italy, he
never neglected or left void any one of the
graces which Almighty God vouchsafed to
grant him ; that he constantly and uniformly
maintained the fervor which animated him in
the beginning ; eagerly thirsting to attain the
degree of perfection to which God in His eter-
nal predestination called him. This is not my
opinion only ; all who were so happy as to live
with him believe the same. All unanimously
agree that the virtues requisite to form the
character of a perfect man, were realized in
him ; in fact, there were seen in him innocence
the most pure, with humility the most profound ;
a modesty which seemed to deprive him of his
eye-sight, with a charity that seemed to restore
it whenever his neighbor required comfort or
assistance; a kindness and consideration to-
wards everybody, joined to the most exact re-
gularity, entirely free from all human respects ;
a wisdom and intelligence equal to the maturity
of old age, with the simplicity of a child to-
wards his superiors, to whom he always yielded
the most implicit obedience. This, Eeverend
Father, is the most simple and the most correct
idea that I can give you of John Berchmans,
whose history you are writing. He is already
venerated in Flanders as a saint, and considered

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS. 67

one of the patrons of the country. No sooner
was his death announced, than the most skilful
artists made copies of his portrait ; they found
it difficult, notwithstanding their zeal and ac-
tivity, to satisfy the eagerness of the public to
secure these pictures ; an eagerness which was
by no means confined to the common order of
people, the most distinguished and the most*
illustrious amongst all religious orders, desired?
to have his portrait in their houses. The one ;
which you are going to present to the publie 1
will be far more precious, inasmuch as it will*
represent the mind and the most secret virtues»
of his soul ; whereas, the art of the most excel-
lent painters and engravers can only trace the
features of his face. You will (much more'
effectually than they) augment in our hearts the
devotion towards him, which is already cher-
ished there ; you will transmit it to those who
shall succeed us; and in placing before our
eyes this wonderful example of sanctity, you
will teach us that it requires less of years than
of courage to become a saint. Pardon, dear
father, the length of this letter; it is excessive
if measured by the ordinary rules of corres-
pondence ; but, on the other hand, I must say
it is too short as regards the subject of it, as
well as the merits of the holy novice, whose
virtues could not possibly be expressed in
fewer words.”

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THS LIES OF

BOOK IL

Although it was the will of Almighty God
to give John Berchmans especially to Flanders.
He was nevertheless pleased to edify France by
his presence, though but for a moment, and
then, previously to taking him to Himself, to
lend him for a few years to the capital of the
Christian world, whither we are now to accom-
pany him.

His provincial, Father Scribani, being at Ant-
werp, (making the visitation of the province,)
summoned Berchmans thither, telling him that
the will of God required he should repair to
Rome for the completion of his studies, desiring
him to proceed in the first instance to Diest,
(to take leave of his father) and from thence
continue his journey to Rome. Whilst on the
road to his native place, he received news of
his father’s death, in consequence of which he
changed his plan, and instead of visiting Diest,
he preferred offering his prayers for the repose
of his good father’s soul, as being more con-
formable to his ideas of filial piety. Having
no longer any father on earth, he threw himself

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 59

with renewed confidence into the arms of his
Heavenly Father. As the provincial’s order
had not specified that his visit to Diest was on
account of his brothers and sisters, (although
he might have so interpreted it,) he had no de-
sire to go to them ; having made it an inviolable
rule from his first entrance into the noviciate,
to obey his superiors punctually to the very
letter. He considered, therefore, that he should
comply with the duty of fraternal friendship,
by writing two letters in behalf of his brothers
and sisters, one to the person who was ap-
pointed their guardian, and the other to his
former friend and master, Freimont, begging
him to act the part of a father towards his
family, as he had formerly so kindly done to-
wards himself.

This was all the farewell he made his native
country. He started for Eome on the 24th of
October, 1618, accompanied by Bartholomew
Pennemann, a young Jesuit of his own age, and
whose pious dispositions nearly resembled his
own ; it was on this consideration that he was
chosen, together with Berchmans, by his supe-
riors for the Roman College. Pennemann ’s
time there was but short. A pulmonary com-
plaint attacked ’him soon after his arrival ; he
was sent to Naples for change of air, where he
died a holy Jesuit, as he had been a holy

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THE LIFE OF

novice. It seemed, therefore, that Providence
bad taken him. to Italy, only that he might be
the companion of Berchmans on the journey,
which they undertook at a very unfavorable
season of the year ; however, the tediousness of
it was much diminished by their cheerful and
edifying conversation. “What an advantage
for us, my dear brother,” said Berchmans, “to
live in a city consecrated by the blood of mar-
tyrs ; to be able to honor there the princes of
the apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, to kiss their
chains and the dust upon their tomb 1 What a
consolation for us to go through our studies in
the first college of the society, where we shall
learn the science of the saints by following the
examples of those with whom we are going to
live !” Such were the pious sentiments of this
holy young man, nor were those of his faithful
companion dissimilar to his own ; they mutu-
ally animated each other in their resolution of
striving to live like saints, in a place where
they would meet with so many means to be-
come such ; neither of them probably foresee-
ing that Italy, which was to be the term of their
journey, would also be the spot destined by
our Divine Lord to receive their last breath 1
On their road thither they passed through seve-
ral provinces of France, everywhere leaving a
sweet recollection of their virtues. One vena

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. <TL

rable father in Champagne, distinguished for
his merits and for the important functions he
discharged in the, society, always rejoiced that
he had been able to see these two angels on
their passage to Italy ; and towards the close of
life, when bending, as it were, beneath the
weight of years and virtues, it always filled his
heart with holy delight when he recalled to
mind these amiable youths, whose piety, he said,
had so charmed him. They made the same favor-
able impression at Paris and Lyons ; and though
the lateness of the season, which obliged them
to hasten their journey, scarcely allowed them
to spend more than one night at the different
houses of the society which lay on their road,
they everywhere left such strong impressions of
their modesty and piety, as were never oblite-
rated : several letters expressive of this reached
Rome before they did.

Our travellers had the happiness of reaching
Loretto on Christmas Eve. To Berchmans, who,
was so singularly devoted to the Infant Saviour
and his Virgin Mother, it was peculiarly grati-
fying to celebrate the solemn festival of the
Nativity in the place where the Incarnate Word
vouchsafed, for love of us, to clothe Himself
with our mortality. The devotion to which he
entirely abandoned himself in this consecrated
place, made him forget the ordinary wants of

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THE LIFE OF

nature; for instead of taking rest during the
night, (which the fatigue of travelling made so
necessary for him,) he spent the greater part of
it in long exercises of devotion, assisting at
matins, which are sung with great solemnity in
that holy chapel: his modest and recollected
comportment was a subject of admiration to the
numerous pilgrims then assembled at Loretto.
His devotion increased during the mass, and at
the moment of communion seemed completely
to transport him; nevertheless, his ardor was
of that sweet and tranquil nature, that it forti-
fied rather than weakened him; and produced
the same effect that sleep and nourishment usu-
ally do, for he had scarcely allowed himself time
for either, during the two days he spent at Lo-
retto. Before he left, a father of the Society,
who had remarked his great devotion to Blessed
Aioysius, gave him some relics of that glorious
saint, which he looked upon as his most precious
treasures. He and his companion hastened their
journey to Rome, where they arrived just in time
to celebrate the Festival of the Sacred .Name of
Jesus, which is kept -with great deyotion in the
Jesuits* church. They werè most cordially wel-
comed by all the fathers in Rome, but particu-
larly by him who was father to them all, the
Father-General, Mutio Vitelleschi, an Italian.
This illustrious man was delighted to receive

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63

those two angels, for he was himself called,
“ The Angel of the Couucil,” on account of his
profound wisdom and singular modesty. Hav-
ing allowed them time to recover from the fa-
tigues of their journey, he conducted them to the
college, where they were as cordially welcomed
as they had been at the professed house: they
were lodged in the apartment appropriated to
the young Jesuits, immediately upon the comple-
tion of their noviciate. This separation, which
the society considers to be of the greatest import-
ance to the junior members, is intended to main-
tain and even perfect in their minds, the true
spirit of their state ; it precludes not only all
commerce with strangers and seculars, but all
intercourse with the inmates of the house also.
This ancient custom was confirmed by the sixth
congregation of the order, as being very proper
to maintain the spirit of fervor and recollection
in beginners ; accordingly a decree to this effect
was passed, ordering this holy custom to be ob-
served, but more particularly in the seminaries,
for the advantage of the numerous youth therein
assembled ; recommending the provincials (who
have an express rule upon this point) to take
care that it was observed, and, moreover requir-
ing the father-general to draw up an instruction,
which might serve as an explicit rule, to the
whole society. Berchmans entered with great

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alacrity and fervor into this sort of second no-
viciate, which only differed from the first, in-
asmuch as he practised a more exalted virtue,
and joined the study of human literature to the
science of the saints. His extraordinary merit
soon became generally appreciated, and every
one in the house was struck at his wonderful
sanctity, which was no less amiable than ad-
mirable. There was nothing of austerity in his
recollection, retirement, and silence; he was
cordial and cheerful in his intercourse with his
companions at the hours appointed for conver-
sation ; and if spoken to at a time of silence, he
would answer, as briefly as possible, it is true,
but always with kindness and civility, being
convinced that exactitude and devotion without
charity, are chimerical, and that no one can
truly love either God or his rule, unless he love
his neighbor for God, proposing to himself this
grand motive of charity as the first and chiefest
of all his rules. Nothing was dearer to his heart
than this important virtue ; to perfect himself
in it, and to be continually on the watch against
everything which could in the least degree im-
pair its lustre, he made it the subject of his
particular examen, upon the plan which St.
Ignatius had traced out for practising this exer-
cise ; not, indeed, that this saint originated the
practice, but it is only justice to him to say

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that he gave such precise and clear rules upon
the subject, that whoever faithfully observes
them would most certainly succeed in the re-
formation of his interior. This examen differs
from the general, inasmuch as the latter ex-
tends to all faults, whereas the former confines
itself to the defects arising from one particular
vice. St. Ignatius requires that we begin with
that one vice which sensibly predominates in
us ; in the morning we must resolve to combat
it, foreseeing and guarding against the occa-
sions which may possibly surprise us, keeping
every day an exact account of the faults com-
mitted ; so that at the end of the week, by com-
paring one day with another, we may be able
to judge how far we have repelled the enemy
we undertook to defeat. This was a stratagem
the wise legislator had learnt from the system
of secular warfare, to which in early life he
had been trained ; he found it extremely profit-
able in a spiritual life, when properly directed,
frequently remarking that to be able to van-
quish our enemies it was only necessary to sepa :
rate them.

He recommended the same practice in the
acquirement of virtues, saying, that to become
master of all, they must be taken up singly,
and it was his decided opinion, confirmed by
constant experience, that we should assuredly

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conquer, if we undertook them thus one by
one, applying all the energy of our mind and
soul to this grand object. Berchmans never
failed to comply with this pious duty, which he
considered one of the most efficacious means to
acquire purity of heart. Another motive which
induced him to practise it exactly was the ex-
ample of St. Ignatius himself, who never omit-
ted it, even when overwhelmed by the pressure
of most important affairs. The first fathers of
the society were equally zealous in its practice ;
always finding time to acquit themselves of this
great duty, though they often wanted time to
satisfy the pressing necessities of nature in the
midst of their multifarious occupations. Berch-
mans’ diligence on this point equalled the idea
he had of its importance. He observed its
slightest rules with the greatest attention ; and
if through forgetfulness he failed in the least
degree, besides the penance which he imposed
upon himself, he always repaired to his supe-
rior, and asked an extra penance, saying that
this practice answered the purpose of a spur,
continually urging him forward on the path of
duty. It was by this holy industry that Berch-
mans so happily succeeded in the study and
acquisition of religious virtues, which in fact
constitute perfection. The perfection of this
holy servant of God did not merely consist in

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being free from ordinary faults ; his innocence
was but the first prop in the foundation upon
which our Lord raised so sublime an edifice.
According to the testimony of Father Y. Cepari,
(who was his superior in the Roman College
during his life, and the writer of his Memoirs
afterwards,) the most eminent virtues were to
be found in Berchmans, those even which St
Thomas considers as belonging only to the
most perfect and purified souls, such as are
seldom found but in heaven, or, at the most, in
a small number of persons, who are so entirely
disengaged from the imperfections of this earth,
that they may without much impropriety be
considered as already belonging to heaven. In
this class maybe numbered our holy religious;
to form this opinion it was only necessary to
see him; his évery look inspired esteem and a
certain feeling of respect and veneration, which
we usually, and in a manner involuntarily, feel,
when in the presence of exalted sanctity.

The fervor and piety with which he per-
formed his most common actions, convinced
those who saw him, that the intention which ani-
mated and actuated him, must have been most
sublime and perfect. “ Whenever I had the hap-
piness,” continues Father Cepari, “to fathom
the depths of this highly -favored soul, I was
as much astonished as I was delighted ; and

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this happened to me very, frequently. I had
no occasion to remind him of his duty on this
point ; he came every fortnight with the con-
fidence and docility of a son, to manifest the
secrets of his heart. I remember particularly
on one occasion, when describing to me with
his usual candor the singular favors which God
conferred upon him, and the exact fidelity with
which he endeavored to correspond to these
graces, I was seized with admiration, (which
however I was careful to conceal,) and ex-
claimed within myself, ‘ O my God ! this is
truly a precious soul inwhom You are well
pleased, since You adorn him thus early in life
with the most tender proofs of Your mercy.
This grace of the new man which You have
conferred upon him, appears, to me to resemble
that first state of innocence in which You
created man ! So slight are the traces of ori-
ginal corruption in this young heart, that it
seems to be re-established in the state of prim-
itive purity.’ Such,” continues Father Cepari,
“ were my thoughts ; not that I believed^ them
strictly to the letter, but that no others would
better express what I saw and admired in hie
pure and well-regulated interior ; besides, I was
well aware that however great and wonderful
the innocence of this pious youth might be, it
was of course not quite exempt from slight

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failings ; since, in the greatest saints, (as well
as in the most brilliant stars,) some specks may
be discovered.” To the above testimony we
may add what has been related by those fathers
who were his confessors from the time of his
arrival in Rome until his death, to whom he
gave full permission to make what use they
pleased of the secrets of his conscience. Father
John Baptist Cecotti, a very spiritual person,
(appointed for this reason by the superiors to
be the director of the young Jesuits when they
left the noviciate,) thus writes : “ Amongst the
great number of persons whose interior dispo-
sitions I have known, I have never met with
one whose purity of heart surpassed that of our
dear Brother Berchmans ; the sins of which he
accused himself were only such as the most
holy persons fall into, which are more the
effects of human weakness, than of any unruly
will of the heart. With him they were never
either mortal in their nature, nor even delibe-
rately venial ; for, besides being light of them-
selves, they were still more so by the manner
in which they escaped him ; being the effect
either of surprise or of human frailty, and never
with consent of his free will.” “What gave
me a secret veneration for him,” adds another
of his confessors, “was the acknowledgment
he often n*ade, (with expressions of humble
candor and intense gratitude towards God,) that

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he did not remember having committed during
the whole course of his life one deliberate ve-
nial sin.” He carried his horror of the least
fault to its highest degree in everything con-
nected with his vows, never finding matter of
confession on this point. Rather than commit
the slightest fault against any of them, espe-
cially that of chastity, he would have preferred
a thousand deaths. This virtue was incompar-
ably more precious to him than his life : to
preserve it he willingly sacrificed all natural
attachments and pleasure. Instructed by the
wise man that this virtue is the gift of Heaven,
he incessantly directed his prayers thither, that
he might draw it to himself; but fearful lest
his confidence in God might be presumptuous
if he did not join to it his own endeavors, he
watched over himself, and continually morti-
fied his innocent body; thus practising to the
letter the advice which our Divine .Saviour
gave to His apostles, “ Watch and pray.” He
watched, that nothing might be wanting on his
side ; and prayed that he might obtain from
God what was beyond the reach of mere human
power. By uniting these two means so neces-
sary to the preservation of innocence, he hap-
pily carried his without blemish from the bap-
tismal font to the tomb ; nay, he did more, for
he perfected it by the practice of religious vir-
tues.

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* BLESSED JOÔN BERCHMÀNS. 71

As he had made an inviolable resolution
faithfully to observe the laws of God, so did he,
with the same fidelity, resolve to observe the
rules of his religious state. He would have
exposed his life to every danger rather than
transgress the least rule, or fail in submission
to any order of his superiors, for he considered
that both emanated from the same authority ;
and he did not think that a religious could
flatter himself with the hope of being obedient
unless he showed equal deference for every
duty bearing upon it the stamp of obedience.
Everything in “ the house of our Lord” was of
importance to Berclimans, who looked upon the
least observances as so many honorable bands,
which bound him to the service of the Great
Master, under whom slavery was far sweeter
than the most unrestricted liberty elsewhere.
Under these impressions, the minute details of
regularity which are so troublesome to the im-
perfect were delightful to him ; and he found
greater satisfactiofi in his state of absolute dé-
pendance, than others did in following nothing
but their own wills. Hence, he never quitted
the apartment assigned to the young Jesuits
without first asking permission; never spoke
to any but the companions of his study with-
out the same permission ; always answered in
Latin, as the rule prescribed ; when at the

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country house, (where usually more liberty is
allowed and taken,) he made no use of the
privilege; was careful to observe the same
strict rules of modesty ; acquitted himself of
his spiritual exercises as regularly and exactly
as when in the college, performing them on
those recreation days with as much recollection
as if he were in retreat ; and, in fine, he ob-
served a thousand minute details of duty with
a fidelity which never wavered. Such was the
life of Berchmans y composed of actions small
of themselves, but which, when united together,
were able to form a great saint, springing from
so pure a motive as the pleasure and will of
God alone. I might produce numberless ex-
amples of all kinds ; a few however will suffice
to enable us to judge of the rest. Returning
one day from walking with two of his compan-
ions, they were invited by one of the older
fathers to join their company, because their
being in the country allowed that construction
to be put upon the rule, which in college for-
bids the intercourse between the elder fathers
and the young professed: but*Berchmans, who
always confined himself to the strict letter of
the law, thanked the good father for the honor,
but civilly declined to accept it, and left him as
much edified by his exactitude, as he was
pleased with his amiable modesty. • He gave

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proofs both of one and the other in an occur-
rence of a somewhat similar nature. Being
pressed by a Flemish Father to become associ-
ated with himself and a young Jesuit who had
just left the noviciate, and who was of the same
country, Berchmans begged to be excused, and
deprived himself of the pleasure he would
naturally have felt in being united in friend-
ship with those of his own nation: a bond of
union, usually so strong and so persuasive,
jnade no impression upon the mind of Berch-
mans ; agreeably to the spirit of the society, he
loved all his brethren with an equal love ; or if
he ever showed a more marked affection towards
any one of them, it was only because they
seemed, more virtuous, and more strongly ani-
mated by the love of Jesus Christ ; and that he
hoped thereby to strengthen and confirm the
same sentiments in his own heart ; but he would
not even agree to an intimacy so well purposed,
without the consent and approbation of his
superiors. During his last visit to the Jesuits 1
country-house, recreating himself with his com-
panions in a filbert- walk, where the fruit had
been already gathered, one of them perceiving
a nut remaining upon the tree, was on the
point of gathering it, when Berchmans reminded
him of the rule which forbids the young Jesuits
to take fruit off of the tarées : his young oom-

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panion jocularly remarking that the rule did
not refer to a tree which had been stript of its
fruit, nor to a solitary nut, Berchmans no
longer insisted upon the point ; he was careful
however not to allow himself the liberty of
such interpretations; in fact, sudh had been his
uniform practice from his first entrance into the
noviciate. Another of his self-imposed laws,
was to avoid all dispensations. u I will detest
every shadow of dispensation in matters of
regularity,” remarked this holy young man,
“which I consider highly pernicious to reli-
gious discipline.” He equally disliked general
permissions, which he thought were usually
asked, only to be freed from the. importunate
yoke of constant dépendance : at all events, he
thought there was less risk and more merit in
having recourse to superiors on particular occa-
sions, with an humble dépendance on their
good pleasure. These holy maxims were re-
ceived by his dear companions as so many ora-
cles, which were practised with so much the
more exactitude, as being traced in so lively
and pleasing a manner in the conduct of Berch-
mans. Love of regularity nourished amongst
these fervent youths; and whilst the servant
of God was, as it were, the soul of it, (animat-
ing all the . others by his fervor,) he little
thought that our Divine Lord was making use

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of him to enkindle this holy ardor, the effects
of which he so much admired in his brethren.

It delighted him to see in this celebrated
seminary, such a multitude of religious, flying,
in a manner, to discharge their various duties
with an emulation which the purest charity
alone could produce. All were animated by
the same spirit, and moved by the same main-
spring, so that the least signal sufficed to draw
them all whithersoever God or obedience might
call. Nothing could be more gratifying than
to observe these young religious during their
recreation hours 5 some walking in the garden,
others seated in arbors or in open galleries, all
conversing either on their studies or pious sub-
jects ; at the first sound of the bell, which rung
when the hour of recreation had expired, they
instantly retired in silence and recollection,
which it was evident their conversation had
neither interrupted or troubled. This excellent
order being the effect of well-observed rules, it
will not be a subject of surprise that Berch-
mans cherished them so tenderly, or that he so
ardently begged of our Lord grace to observe
them faithfully and constantly. He particularly
recommended this favor to the intercession of
St. Ignatius, persuaded that he still watched
over in heaven the observance of those rules
which he had bequeathed to his children upon

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earth. He did this with redoubled fervor on
the festival of his holy father, as he himself
acknowledged to one of his companions who
had assisted with him at mass in the church of
the Gesu. On their return home he was asked
what favor he had asked of St. Ignatius. “To
die in the society, my dear brother, without
having transgressed the least of its rules,” an-
swered Berchmans. These beloved rules were
ever present to his mind ; the book was always
open on his table whilst he studied, and at
night he placed it under his pillow, sleeping
tranquilly whilst his head rested upon that,
which, when awake, was so inexpressibly dear
to his heart.

However great his love might be for all his
rules in general, he was most solicitous about
those which referred to purity, and which in
fact are the guardians of it. This angelical vir-
tue was the charm of his existence; he had
loved it from his infancy, and its brilliancy had
never either then or afterwards been tarnished
in the slightest degree. His strong inclination
to this virtue had been acquired in the chapel
of our Blessed Lady at Montaigu. His devo-
tion towards this most spotless Virgin increased
every day, and perfected his love of her most
favored virtue. Always serious, temperate, and
recollected, he watched over, and curbed his
\

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senses against everything that could soil his
heart. Nothing could exceed the severity with
which he mortified his appetite, considering it
to be one of the greatest enemies both of chas-
tity and prayer. To see him at table, one
would suppose that he was there for no other
purpose than to practice abstinence. As the
pleasure which nature is apt to take in eating,
is a sort of bait to cupidity, (which often sur-
prises even those who aim at perfection,) Berch-
mans carefully guarded against it. He invari-
ably left untasted whatever was most palatable ;
and for the rest, however great might be his
necessity for food, he took so little of it, that
in a short time his stomach became weakened,
and his strength undermined. When warned
that his abstemiousness was injuring his health,
he answered, that having offered it with every-
thing else into the hands of God, he felt no
trouble about it. Nor would he ever allow any
extrardinary dishes to be prepared for him, as
was sometimes proposed when the common diet
seemed to disagree with him, remarking on
such occasions, that the blessing of God could
make the coarsest food useful to him ; and that
after all, the consolation of having nothing sin-
gular would benefit him more than the most
exquisite delicacies.

The caution with which he guarded his eyes

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was even still more vigilant; they were con-
stantly cast downwards nnless necessity required
otherwise ; and when .any stranger accosted him
he would merely take a hasty glance to satisfy
himself as to the person he was speaking to,
and then resume his usual modest look. If ad-
dressed by any one whose voice was familiar to
him, he did not raise his eyes, being content to
answer with charity and sweetness whatever
was desired of him. This reserve became so
habitual to him, that it caused him no trouble
or inconvenience; he maintained it even in
sudden occasions of surprise, where usually the
head at least turns round to discover the cause.
Some young secular students of philosophy often
made a sudden noise, as they afterwards declared,
on purpose to put his constant watchfulness to
the proof, but they never could succeed in dis-
turbing it. In fine, his sight was so completely
under his control, that it was never directed but
as he pleased, and so little liberty did he allow
it, that several persons who had lived years
with him scarcely knew the color of his eyes.
Curiosity, which is so natural to strangers who
visit Eome, and where there is so much to
awaken it, had no power upon him. Neither
the splendor of the court, the magnificence of
palaces, or the pomp of festivities had any charm
for him. The visits of princes and ambassadors

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to the collège, or the representation of theatri-
cal pieces on certain occasions, were equally un-
interesting to him. Being once desired to go
and see an exhibition of the latter description,
where the young nobles of the college were the
performers, he conceived that he should suffi-
ciently satisfy the duty of obedience by being pre-
sent at it, but he did not think himself obliged
to do more;* therefore he remained quietly
seated without once raising his eyes towards
the actors ; this was observed by a gentleman
who occupied the next seat to Berchmans, and
who was struck with admiration at his surpris-
ing recollection of mind. Another gentleman
of high rank, delighted with the modesty of the
young Jesuit, (of which he had seen many in-
stances,) was never tired of speaking of it
wherever an opportunity occurred. Visiting
Father Ignatius Lomellino, his friend and coun-
tryman, and the discourse falling upon the de-
votions practised in the Jesuits’ church, he ad-
dressed him thus, “ Can you guess what draws
me so much to your church, and causes me to
attend it so regularly ?” u There is no great
difficulty in answering your question,” replied
Father Lomellino, u to one who has the honor
of knowing you as I do. A man of piety like
yourself would naturally go to assist at vespers
and hear the sermons.” “ That intention is very

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good,” continued the gentleman, “ and were I
as good a man in reality as I am in your estima-
tion, I should probably have no other ; but I
will candidly tell you, that another motive
draws me thither, it is the pleasure of observing,
without interruption, one of your young Jesuits,
whom I have never once seen raise his eyes ;
he is the perfect image of a saint. From the
moment he enters the church until he leaves
it, he remains on his knees immovable as a
statue, penetrated with devotion, which even
appears upon his countenance, and gives him a
look altogether angelical.” u Oh I” interrupted
the Jesuit, “ I know of whom you speak ; he
is a young Fleming; we all admire him as
much as you do ; in fact, he is looked upon as
an angel by the whole college, and we usually
propose him to our young students as a model
of modesty and devotion. Thefe is not one of
our scholars who has not the same opinion of
him ; they follow him in crowds, drawn by the
charms of his sweetness and modesty.” We
will* add another example which deserves to be
recorded here. When a newly elected Pope
goes to take possession of the church of St. John
Lateran, it is customary for the Jesuits to assem-
ble in front of their house, and there await the
passage of his Holiness, to receive his benedic-
tion. On the day that Pope Gregory XV. Was

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elected, Berchmans was sent with many others
of the college to be present at this solemnity.
On his way home being asked by his compan-
ion what he thought of the pompons ceremony
they had jnst witnessed, “ Pardon me,” answered
Berchmans, “I scarcely saw anything of it; I
was placed in a position which concealed it from
my vièw.” This answer, which humility sug-
gested, was nevertheless true, for he had pur-
posely placed himself in the back-ground, where
he remained during the whole ceremony en-
gaged in silent prayer ; preferring the pleasure
of contemplating the celestial glory of Jesus
Christ, rather than the gratification of his eyes
by the magnificent spectacle and triumphant
procession of His Vicar upon earth.

Berchmans’ great object was to hide from men
what he did for God ; thus he mortified himself
on every possible occasion, but was most anxious
to conceal his mortifications ; and he was inge-
nious in his method of doing this, as will ap-
pear in the following example. The Cardinal
of Savoy being informed soon after his promo-
tion, that the Jesuits were more particularly
gratified at his new dignity, honored them with
a visit to the Roman College. As his Eminence
had always favored the society, and shown it
marks of hie good-will and protection, the fa-
thers prepared to give him the most magnificent
6

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reception they were able, in proof of their re-
spect and gratitude. As the Cardinal was par-
ticularly partial to the study of languages, in
which he excelled, the Jesuits belonging to dif-
ferent countries were desired to compliment his
Éminence, each one in his native language.
Berchmans was ordered to do it in Flemish,
and acquitted himself of the charge with so
much elegance, animation, and modesty, that
the Cardinal was on the point of praising the
performance, which being perceived by Berch-
. mans he quickly glided behind his companions,
as if to make place for the next speaker. He
took no other interest in the ceremony, and
watching his opportunity he slipped out of the
room, from whence he went to the kitchen and
begged the cook to employ him in some mean
office there, which being refused, he repaired to
the church, and spent in prayer all the remain-
ing time of the festivity. The delicacy and
purity of his love for Jesus Christ was so great,
that his only pleasure was to study how he
might increase it by the sacrifice of all those
satisfactions which are most dear to human
nature, but which he believed to be most pre-
judicial to that holy charity which reigned the
sovereign mistress of his heart. N othing seemed
to him more likely to weaken this pure flame
than private friendship and partialities. He

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detested them from the inmost of his soul, and
condemned them in his conversations with his
brethren whenever he had the opportunity.
“Let us love one another,” would he say to
them with his usual sweetness and fervor, “but
let us love one another in Jesus Christ, with an
equal and universal' love. We all serve the
same master ; we are all children of the same
order; consequently we should all be of one
heart; that friendship which is bestowed upon
one individual, is a theft upon all the rest;
nature is the source of such a distinction ; and
so bad a cause can never produce good effects.”
His own fixed resolution was to love all, but
to be particularly familiar with none; to en-
courage himself to fidelity on this point, he had
collected in writing the opinions of the most
skilful spiritual masters, and especially the
essential marks of these particular friendships
which St. Bonaventure has left us in his works,
but which I omit for the sake of brevity ; how-
ever I will just observe, that Berchmans had
remarked (like that great saint) that one of the
most ordinary defects, especially amongst young
people living together consists in the slight fa-
miliarities, so opposed to the rules of strict mod-
esty which intimacy seems to tolerate ; such as
caressing or touching each other in jest and
friendship. He had frequently reflected upon

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this sort of freedom, and was persuaded that
however innocent it might be in itself, it was
not quite conformable to the perfection of purity
for which he was so ardently zealous. Our
Divine Lord did not fail to recompense the
lively and constant attention with which Berch-
mans watched over the preservation of this ce-
lestial virtue ; he possessed it in a most eminent
degree, being preserved during the whole course
of his life from temptations contrary to it, a pri-
vilege so rare, as scarcely to be conferred even
upon the most innocent souls. Conversing once
with one of his companions on the admirable
purity of the Queen of Angels, and of the in-
terest she takes in the welfare of those who
cherish this virtue, he added, “ I am under in-
finite obligations to her, for having obtained for
me of her dear Son an ardent love of chastity,
with the precious grace of never being tempted
to the contrary vice ; I may and ought to say
this, in gratitude for her powerful protection,
which guards me against the first appearance
of danger.” Father Cepari confirms this cir-
cumstance, though little less than miraculous;
and assures us that towards the end of the year
1620, Berchmans, in giving him an account of
his conscience, repeated the same thing ; declar-
ing that he owed to our Blessed Lady the favor
of being preserved from all impurity, even in

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS. 35

his sleep ; and more particularly since lie had
made it his custom to say every night one Ave
Maria in honor of the immaculate conception,
just before he stepped into bed. Father Cepari
further adds, that on the same occasion in the
following year, the saintly youth owned with
evident consolation of soul, that during the pre-
ceding year he had never suffered, either by
day or night, sleeping or waking the least
thought or impression contrary to purity.

Thus did the Mother of Virgins perfect in
him more and more this virtue so precious to
her heart. A Jesuit, well acquainted with the
state of his interior, having related this prodigy
of grace to the pious and learned Cardinal
Bellarmine, he was moved to tears of surprise
and joy, exclaiming, “ O God, how admirable !
what a singular favor in a young man, so
lively and full of fire ; he may -well be called
an angel, since he has the purity of one.” But
when his Eminence was further told, that to
look upon him sufficed to inflame the heart
with a love of • purity, and that his presence
alone would dissipate in the minds of others
temptations contrary to it, the Cardinal an-
swered, weeping abundantly at the time, that
this yirtue, being essentially the privilege of the
purest of vhgins, the holy youth must be very
•dear to her, to have been favored by her so

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pre-eminently in this respect. In effect, it was
the constant subject of his prayer to this good
Mother, reciting daily the little chaplet of twelve
Ave Marias, in honor of her supreme purity.
According to the testimony and constant expe-
rience of others, one singular grace seemed to
be peculiarly his ; that namely, those who lived
and conversed with him, always quitted his
company with a most sensible and tender affec-
tion for chastity. If our ï)ivine Lord granted
this great privilege to Berchmans during his
life, it appears to have 'increased after his
death; many persons, secular as well as reli-
gious, having declared to the glory of God and
the honor of His servants, that having recom-
mended themselves to the holy young Jesuit,
when exposed to imminent dangers of sinning
against chastity, they received from him imme-
diate succor, which subdued the risings of con-
cupiscence at the moment even that the danger
seemed most pressing. Some, in gratitude for
so signal a benefit, publicly acknowledged that
they owed it to Berchmans’ intercession ; others
who wished to give more positive proofs of
their gratitude, brought offerings of devotion
to his tomb, having previously promised to do
so, if their trials were removed or relieved by
his intervention. m

' In the conduct of God towards His saints, it

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87

has often been remarked, that besides the essen-
tial glory which He honors them with, and
which He confers upon each in proportion to
their sanctity and merits, He likewise commu-
nicates to them an accidental glory peculiar to
each one alone, which procures for them the
especial veneration of the faithful. And He
does this by imparting to them some degree of
His own supernatural power, for the cure of
those vices most opposite to the respective vir-
tues which chiefly distinguish each particular
saint. In this view, we may consider that
Berchmans was rendered most efficacious
against the vices of impurity, and most chari-
table and zealous in succoring those who suffer
from its dangerous attacks. God, so infinitely
liberal towards His servants, and who is pleased
to crown His own works in them, began even
in this life to recompense (by so great a favor)
a purity so angelical as seldom to be equalled
excepting in heaven.

The great apostle tells us that our Divine
Master destines us to a crown of justice, but
that to merit it He requires of us that we apply
vigorously to the affair of our sanctification ;
that having by his goodness graciously begun
it, it belongs to us courageously to pursue it
with corresponding fidelity. That such was
the conduct of Berchmans, the sequel of this
history will evidently prove.

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Divine Providence in creating Berchmans,
bestowed on him a constitution best suited to a
life of virtue, and which should serve as the
foundation-stone in the spiritual edifice which
the Holy Ghost designed to perfect and conse-
crate by His grace. The lively ardor of his
character only made him more susceptible of
the impressions of Divine love, but never
troubled the equal serenity of his soul. His
conduct was uniform, gentle, and courteous.
The operations of grace found no obstacle either
in his well-regulated mind or heart ; the king-
dom of God was securely established there as
on a throne of truth and justice. Hence, sprung
up in his soul that source of peace which was
never disturbed, and which enabled him so
lovingly to enjoy the presence of his God. No
cloud ever obscured his countenance, and his
whole person seemed to combine a pleasing
mixturè of reserve and cheerfulness which edi-
fied and delighted every one. Although he
was grave and serious, there was nothing of
melancholy about him; in fact, he frankly
owned that he had no idea what it could be, at
least from practical experience, for on one oc-
casion that he had heard a public discourse
made by the .rector of the college, on the perni-
cious effects which melancholy is capable of
producing in religious souls, Berchmans and

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 89

his companions conversing afterwards upon the
subject, and compassionating the misfortune of
those who are under the influence of this dan-
gerous passion, the former concluded his re-
marks by adding, “However, what I say is
said upon the authority of father-rector, for,
thanks to the goodness of God, I have never
experienced it myself.”

As there was nothing of sadness in his gra-
vity, so likewise there was nothing dissipated
in his cheerfulness. His laugh always mode-
rate, was sometimes seen but never heard. His
constant easy uniformity of conduct, was free
from all affectation ; his conversation was cheer-
ful, though always holy and conformable to the
spirit of divine grace which filled his soul ; its
charms consisted in the lively and affectionate
feeling which animated all he said and did; and
never was he known to notice (much less to
ridicule) the weaknesses or peculiarities of
others, for which, on the contrary, he showed
all sweetness and charity. If corrected or re-
primanded by others, he expressed the greatest
gratitude, but when commended, a blush was
his only answer. Praise was the only thing
which seemed to alter the serenity of his coun-
tenance ; on all other occasions, the most un-
foreseen ^accidents could not disturb his tran-
quillity. besides his total and inviolable de

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pendence upon the holy will of God, which was
the ground-work of his happy peaceful state of
mind, it was no doubt much increased by the
spirit of regularity which directed his exterior
conduct, every hour had its appointed duty, no
moment was left either to caprice or idleness.
He drew up his distribution of time twice a
year, namely, during the retreats which are
made in the society before the renovation of
vows. He was careful to specify in his plan of
regularity all his ordinary actions, and also all
those which he foresaw might possibly occur,
together with the spirit and method he was to
observe in the practice of all ; he did this to
prevent being taken by surprise or at unawares.
To this cautious foresight may be added the
strict attention which he gave to all his words
and actions, never doing or saying anything
without entering into himself and consulting
the Holy Ghost as his oracle. One of his com-
panions, surprised to see him conduct himself
always with the same wisdom in his actions as
well as in his words, asked him how it hap-
pened that such appropriate answers always
occurred to his mind at the right moment and
yet in so many different occasions. Berchmans
modestly replied, “ I believe it is because I
always weigh and measure my worc^ in the
sight of God before I pronounce them.” It

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was this sacred art which taught him so well
how to govern his tongue ; he applied himself
to this from the moment he entered into reli-
gion, being fully persuaded that it was of the
highest importance to regulate and curb its
movements. He practised to the letter St
James’s instruction upon this subject ; by this
necessary but too much neglected circumspec-
tion, he was enabled always to speak what and
as he wished ; nor did he ever wish to speak
but to the honor and glory of God, or for the
consolation of his brethren. It is true his con-
versation was always holy, but he managed it
with so much simplicity, sweetness, and candor* %
that no one ever felt tired of listening to him. *
He generally preferred leaving the conversation
to others, showing much more pleasure in hear-
ing them speak than m speaking himself; dis-
liking an overflow of words, however holy,
under the idea that the best thing should be
used with moderation, and that satiety is always
to be avoided lest the appetite be spoiled. Re-
served as he was during the hour of recreation,
he was still more so in the time of silence ; he
never made use of the liberty which the rule
allows of speaking in few words to a passer-by.
Nothing but necessity, obedience, or charity,
could unclose his lips on these occasions ; and
no sooner had he in a low tone satisfied the

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demand, than he resumed his usual silence. So
great was his exactness, that he would check
himself in the middle of a word if the bell at
that instant rung to announce the end of re-
creation. A companion of his studies, who
had leave to call upon him in his room to ask
his help when he met with any difficult passage,
was always very kindly received and assisted,
but as soon as the question was solved, Berch-
mans stopped the conversation; or if more
time were required for examining the proposed
difficulty, he would beg his dear brother to
defer the business until the hour allowed by
the rule for conversation. He carried his re-
spect and consideration for the foreign Jesuit
to a very high degree ; nevertheless, he would
not allow it to interfere with his strict observ-
ance of silence. One of these fathers, who had
shown Berchmans great kindness at Loretto,
arriving at Borne, met him suddenly, and after
the first affectionate salutations, was beginning
to converse with him in an easy familiar man-
ner; but our holy youth modestly excused
himself, begging the good father would allow
him first to go and ask permission, and then
return to entertain himself in his company :
this little circumstance much edified the
stranger, and increased his already favorable
opinion of his young brother.

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Nothing could exceed the pleasure which every-
one felt in his society, which was eagerly sought
by all, though he on his part was quite indif-
ferent as to whom he conversed with, for he
sincerely loved and esteemed all without either
preference or distinction; and they, knowing
that nothing gave him greater pleasure in re-
creation than to speak of the things of God, very
willingly excluded all profane subjects; those
which were indifferent were lightly passed over
to fix upon those which were most holy, every
one saying with candor and simplicity what-
ever the Spirit of God inspired. Those who were
his superiors in age, were always willing to heai
him introduce these discourses, which he did in
so respectful a manner, that the most jealous
of their own authority could not possibly take
offence. He was less reserved with his equals,
and whilst he considered himself the last and
least of all, they esteemed him as their master,
and felt themselves happy in being able to profit
by his example an d discourse. A remark which
he had committed to paper, and which was found
after his death, is singular enough to deserve no-
tice ; namely, that he had never found any diffi-
culty in introducing pious conversation, except-
ing on two occasions, and then not because any
of the party was opposed to it, but simply be-
cause so many happened ta be assembled to-

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gether at the same time, so that it was difficult
to continue a discourse upon any single subject
without frequent interruption. This trifling in-
cident pained him somewhat for the moment,
and made him determine to avoid a crowd for
the future whenever it was in his pow.er ; he re-
commended the same thing to others, using for
the purpose these consoling words of our Divine
Master, “ When two or three are assembled to-
gether in my name, there am I in the midst of
them.” And then he would add, “ What a hap-
piness for us, my dear brothers, to have so good
a Master for our dear companion ; but it is on
condition that we assemble two or three together,
not more. This circumstance He Himself has
condescended to notice ; and experience teaches
us, that when there are large numbers, there is
but little facility either of speaking of Him, or
of enjoying the blessing of His presence.” He
did not think that conversing in the name of
Jesus could be reconciled with the custom of
talking about frivolous news, or vain curiosities.
If he found himself in company with others en-
gaged on such subjects, he would endeavor to
change them t% such as were more useful ; and
he could generally succeed herein ; but if the
company consisted of his elders, or persons to
whom he owed consideration and respect, he
did not attempt to take this pious liberty, but

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95

recollecting, and placing himself in the pres-
ence of God, he closed his ears to the voice of
creatures, to attend only to that of his Creator,
Two distinguished Jesuits, wishing to have per-
sonal experience of Berchmans’ conduct in this
respect, seeing him approach them, broke off
their discourse, and began to speak of war and
other things as foreign to their state. They were
gratified to find their experiment had succeeded,
for the servant of God, after the first salutations
of civility, let them continue their discourse with-
out attempting to join in it, and entering into
himself he remained silent, until the fathers,
edified by this proof of his interior spirit, re-
sumed the subject of piety, which they had only
interrupted to make a trial of Berchmans’ fidel-
ity. Joining in pious discourse was never diffi
cult to him ; divine love had made him ingeni-
ous in this holy art; and he made a point of
committing to memory everything that he
thought would edify and recreate his compan-
ions. He was particularly assiduous in collect-
ing whatever was most moving and instruc-
tive in the annals of the society, and of the
Lives of Saints, or other distinguished charac-
ters, who. have illustrated it; their actions,
and most remarkable traits of character, were
familiar to him ; and his ever-faithful memory
was sure to recal them, at the very moment

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that it would be most useful to introduce them ;
at the same time, he would endeavor to associ-
ate with their memory some point of the rules
or constitutions which seemed to bear upon the
subject; and whenever he spoke of these with
his companions, he always inspired them with
an increased love and esteem of them. W e owe
to Berchmans’ zeal and industry (sanctioned by
the approbation of superiors) a pious custom
amongst the numerous youth of the Roman Col-
lege, of establishing a sort of spiritual academy,
the discussions to be held on recreation days.
The idea was entirely Berchmans’ ; he drew
up the plan of it, and maintained its practice
with constant fervor and assiduity ; the custom
continues to the present day, and is of great ad-
vantage to the young Jesuits. In these academi-
cal meetings spiritual subjects were treated of
in order and with strict regularity. They were
generally held in the country, and if in the
summer, they met together in a pleasant arbor
belonging to their country house, at the ap-
pointed hour ; and then every one freely said
What they thought upon the subject, which had
been agreed upon some days before. If the
subject chosen was some particular virtue, the
first speaker explained its nature ; the second
distinguished its several acts ; a third described
its advantages ; a fourth proposed its motives ;

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 97

another the means to acquire it ; this one dis-
covered its difficulties ; that other brought for-
ward texts from the constitutions which re-
ferred to it ; or examples of it, gathered from
the lives of early fathers of the order. Every
one had full liberty to propose any doubts
which might arise in the course of the discus-
sion ; which were to be cleared up then, unless
the difficulty should be- so great as to require
the experienced judgment* of an elder father;
they did this in order to maintain unanimity,
for this holy youthful assembly was extremely
cautious to banish from it the slightest symp-
tom of contention. Thus did they spend their
hours in pious discourses, through the address
of our saintly young Jesuit, who was consid-
ered the soul of this devotion ; whilst he him-
self reaped from it most precious fruit, for by
this means reereation days became as valuable
as days of retreat. He stood little in need of
these latter, his habitually profound recollec-
tion made his life one continual retreat ; never-
theless, he omitted no opportunity of making
particular retreats ; besides that of eight or ten
days, made always at the close of the year, and
the other of two or three days, previous to the
renovation of vows, he dedicated some hours
on communion days, and one entire day in
every month, to retirement and recollection.
7

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The latter is still piously practised in the so-
ciety, in order to be better able to preserve the
spirit of fervor acquired in the noviciate.

We will here trace Berchmans’ method of
performing it, that it may serve as a model to
the many young Jesuits who are now studying
to imitate him. He looked upon it as a kind
of spiritual solemnity, which he celebrated at
the commencement of every month : he began
his preparation on" the eve by penances and
humiliations. With permission of his superior
he did not join in the ordinary evening’s recre-
ation, depriving himself of all communication
with creatures, to prepare himself the better for
that of his Creator, which he hoped to enjoy
the next day. During this time of silence he
regulated the exercises of the following day,
not to lose the least part of it in uncertainty
and deliberation, according to the advice of the
Holy Ghost. He fell asleep, filled with pious
sentiments, and scarcely was the night past,
than he arose with alacrity and fervor to begin
this day of grace in the best manner he was
able, adoring with profound reverence Him
who was the Author of it, and consecrating to
Him every instant of this so precious a day.
He earnestly invoked the intercession of his
patron saints, but more particularly of Her who
is the sovereign of them all, the incomparable

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Mother of God. . He spent the day at the foot
of his crucifix, seriously examining in the
presence of Jesus Christ, whether he had ad-
vanced or fallen back in His service; and
whether he hoped to have made some progress,
or that he feared he had not advanced enough,
he attributed whatever appeared good to the
grace of Almighty God, and to his own tepidity
and negligence whatever seemed defective in
his conduct. He wept most bitterly for the in-
fidelities he thought he had committed against
a God so good, and he took every precaution to
prevent future relapses. He carefully endea-
vored to distinguish the graces which he had
received during the past month, and those
which he hoped to receive in the course of the
ensuing month ; in fine, after specifying in de-
tail what our Divine Lord might justly exact
from his future fidelity, he concluded his devo-
tion by a firm and sincere resolution to spare
no pains to please Him, and also to use his
best endeavors to become a saint; this had
been his earnest desire from a very early age,
as we have already remarked, a thought that
was ever present to his mind. “ I am not a
true Jesuit,” he would very often say, “ unless
I am a saint ; and if I do not hasten to become
such whilst I am young, I have reason to fear
that I shall never be one.” Towards the so-

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ciety, which furnished so many means of sanc-
tification, he felt the highest esteem, and could
not speak of it without transport : he called it
his dear society, the society of his heart, the
work of an Almighty finger, and the lively
image of the life our Blessed Lord led on earth :
not that he intended to exalt it above other re-
ligious orders, but he considered it just and
lawful to feel for his own all the esteem and
respect which a good son owes to a tender
mother, and he supposed that every religious
person felt the same towards the institute of
which he was a member. This filial devotion
to his order did not prevent him from honoring
all other orders approved of by the Church :
whoever wore the habit of religion was an ob-
ject of respect to him ; hence we cannot wonder
that his own was so precious to him ; to show
his love of it, he always kissed it most respect-
fully before he clothed himself with it, as was
discovered from his memorandums after his
death. In imitation of Berchmans, this pious
custom is very much in use even to the present
day in the society. u I was sensibly affected,”
says his spiritual director, “ at the wonderful
devotion with which he was penetrated when
speaking of the benefit of his vocation. 1 0
great and inestimable favor P said he a few
months before his death ; ‘ how contented, how

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happy I am, my dear father, to have the hap-
piness of living and the hope of dying in the
society! During the last six months, I feel
that my love for it has redoubled : thanks to
the infinite mercy of our Lord, (who called me
to it,) I have never, from the moment I entered
it, had the least thought or temptation to quit
it.’ ” The high opinion which he had of it was
grounded upon the conviction, that Heaven had
inspired St. Ignatius when compiling his admi-
rable rule ; he admired the secure means em-
ployed by this sagacious founder to prevent the
ruin of his order, but particularly those two
doors belonging to the spiritual edifice, the
one closed to good workmen, the other open to
those who will not study to become such. This
great respect for St. Ignatius and his institute,
was not peculiar to Berchmans alone. One of
the most learned Pontiffs that had ruled the
Church of God on earth, declared the same
thing nearly in the same terms ; adding, that
he had no sooner read through the rules, than
he recognized the finger of God guiding the
pen of St. Ignatius. In fine, this opinion has
been universal amongst the most enlightened
and illustrious persons. A celebrated cardinal
of the last century, whose wise policy governed
France and astonished Europe, declared that
with the institute of Ignatius he would under-

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take to rule the world. The reader must par-
don this little digression, which Berchmans’
love and esteem of his order has insensibly in-
troduced. Loving the mother thus tenderly,
we cannot wonder that the children were so in-
expressibly dear to him : he respected them as
his superiors, but cherished them as his breth-
ren. If a person had once had any spiritual
authority over him, thht character was never
effaced from his mind. The priesthood pro-
duced the same deferential feeling ; and who-
ever was elevated to either of these dignities,
was always treated with profound veneration
by our holy young Jesuit : he lost no occasion
of showing this respect ; and even when walk-
ing with them in the city, he kept the distance
of about a step behind them, being too humble
to consider himself on terms of equality with
them. On the arrival of any foreign father at
the Roman College, it was sufficient that he
wore the habit of the society to secure the
esteem and attentions of Berchmans, who would
immediately quit his more familiar associates
to welcome and assist the stranger, showing
him the same respect and honor which he would
to Jesus Christ. This holy eagerness was
founded upon our Saviour’s consoling assur-
ance, “He that receives you, receives Me.”
He would exclaim sometimes transported with

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joy, “ What goodness, what condescension on
the part of our Creator, to place to His own
account the services which we render to His
creatures !”

He well knew that charity was not only the
spirit of the Gospel, but likewise the spirit of
St. Ignatius and his first companions, who be-
queathed it to the society, having drawn it from
the sacred heart of their Divine Master, and
therefore to be cherished as a legacy of love,
and to be constantly maintained and exercised.
When we are enlightened by such celestial
light, we make no distinction, in imitation of
St. Paul, between Jew and Gentile, domestic or
stranger ; for receiving all in the name of Jesus,
the same marks of benevolence and kindness
should be shown to all. Solidly grounded in
these principles, Berchmans’ affection for his
dear brothers was universal, or if he ever made
any distinction, it was in favor of those who
were the least considerable, either for offices or
talents, studying herein the example of our
Saviour, who bestowed a greater proportion of
his favors upon the poor, in preference to the
rich. Berchmans was particularly kind to the
temporal coadjutors, as those are called who
are admitted into the society to perform the
household duties ; he had great pleasure in con-
versing with them, because he there discovered

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that holy littleness which he himself so pas-
sionately loved, together with a candor and sim
plicity well suited to converse on the things of
God. These simple brothers, whom he re-
spected for their innocence, and other graces
which he perceived Almighty God bestowed
upon them, loved him in return with a most
tender and respectful love ; they revered him
as a saint, and consulted him as their oracle ;
as soon as they had discharged the duty of their
offices, they would repair immediately to him,
and recount to him their various little trials,
and they always derived from his instructive
advice an unction which encouraged them under
present labors, and fortified them to bear cheer-
fully those which were to come. He spoke to
them in a manner so suited to their capacities,
so conformable to their dispositions, and in a
manner so likely to gain their affection, that he
could in fact, persuade them to do anything he
wished, and as he never sought to persuade
them any other thing than the love of our Di-
vine Lord, these good brothers never left him
without being more and more confirmed in their
determination to love and serve so good a
Master ; a feeling which may be attributed to
Berchmans’ example even more than to his
words. Never did they experience the delight
of his society and kindness so effectually as

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105

during illness, wheifr his tender care and solici-
tude were redoubled ; then his animated faith
considering only Jesus Christ in their persons,
took every opportunity of visiting and consoling
Him in these His humble servants. Fixed, as
it were, to the bedside, he at once performed
the office of consoler, servant, and infirmarian.
In Italy, during the summer season, the heat
for a few hours of the day is sometimes exces-
sively oppressive, especially to invalids ; he was
ingenious in devising methods to mitigate this
inconvenience, and when he could do nothing
better, he would fetch fresh water from the foun-
tain wherewith to bathe their hands and refresh
their parched lips. But with all this, his prin-
cipal aim was to teach them how their suffer-,
ings might become meritorious, by uniting them
with those of Jesus Christ, and presenting them
to the Eternal Father through the hands of our
Blessed Lady. To supply, in some manner, the
loss of public exhortations, which illness pre-
vented their being present at, he used to repeat
them afterwards for their edification and in-
struction. These poor sick brothers seemed
half cured whilst he was with them, and were
never wearied or fatigued, however long his
visits might last. Once, when the malady ap-
peared contagious, he was desired not to enter
the infirmary; in this circumstance where his

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charity was restrained by obedience, he endea-
vored to reconcile the two virtues together,
depriving himself, for the sake of obedience, of
the pleasure of visiting the sick, yet not ceasing
to be charitable, for he was constantly inquir-
ing about them, and charging the infir mar ian
to assure them that, though unable to visit them,
his heart was in the infirmary.

Although he was thus affectionate and atten-
tive to the sick, he was no less so to those who
were in health. He always found leisure to serve
every body in the house, and whatever his oc-
cupations might be, none of them appeared to
him more necessary than the exercise of charity.
He did not belong to that class of persons who
are . always overpowered with business when
their aid is required ; nor was he one of those,
who, when they do oblige, do it so ungraciously
that they spoil their good offices by the manner
in which they are done. For his part, he knew
not what it was to feel a difficulty in obliging ;
he was always before hand in offering his ser-
vices, and when opportunity of conferring
pleasure occurred to him, we may say that the
pleasure was doubled by the cheerful affability
which seasoned it. He was the general com-
panion, called 4ipon by the fathers to accompany
them when they had occasion to walk the streets.
M any chose to have him on account of his modest,

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edifying manner, and all called upon him on
account of his obliging good will. One day
that he had great need of applying assiduously
to his studies, he was pressed by an elder father
to accompany him through the city ; he felt at
the moment some slight repugnance, which,
however, he did not allow to appear, and com-
plied with the request in his usual prompt man-
ner; but on his return home, making a serious
reflection upon the impulse which had risen for
the moment in his soul, the humble, charitable
young man was confounded ; he thought him-
self guilty of feeling pain in performing an act
of kindness, and to prevent any such surprises
of nature for the future, he made it for some
time the subject of his particular examen ; dis-
trusting his own heart, which he believed had
betrayed him, he carefully watched all its move-
ments, and subjected them so completely to the
empire of charity, that he never afterwards ex-
perienced the slightest difficulty in its practice,
even under the most unforeseen circumstances.
When his philosophical disputations were con-
cluded, he had abundant opportubity-of exer-
cising it, for scarcely had he reached home
with one father, than he was sent out with
another ; so that it not unfrequently happened
to him to go out in this manner three or four
times in a day during the excessive summer

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heat. On some such occasion one of his young
companions was moved with compassion on
seeing him return quite exhausted and covered
with perspiration. “ You are surely not think-
ing of what you are about,” said he to Berch-
mans ; “ if you continue this game much longer
you will certainly become quite ill : where is
your discretion?” “ I have left it in the hands
of my superior,” answered Berchmans, with his
usual sweetness and cheerfulness; “ it is his
place to command, and mine to obey.”

On another occasion that he was engaged in
prayer, one of his fellow-students came in great
haste, begging he would accompany him in his
walk. Berchmans made no difficulty to leave
God for God, and to leave his prayer for the
sake of charity. The young man who had
chosen him for his companion, conducted him
immediately to the Carthusian monastery, and
inquiring for the superior, he withdrew with
him, leaving Berchmans in another room quite
ignorant of his design. Enlightened however
by a supernatural light, as soon as his compan-
ion had rejoined him, he thus accosted him:
“ It is in vain to attempt concealment, my dear
brother, this is a temptation of the devil, who
under various pretexts seeks to withdraw you
from the society, but you shall not leave us.”
The young man, whose vocation really was

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shaken, was much surprised to find that the
secret of his heart was thus known to his holy
companion; but he was still more surprised,
when upon inviting Berchmans to assist at the
sermon in the church of the Gesu, he firmly per-
sisted in refusing to do so, (a thing very unusual
with him,) and he insisted upon returning home
immediately. The object of the young man in
seeking to obtain this delay, was that he might
be able to return alone to the Chartreuse, and
conclude his arrangements for quitting the Je-
suits, in order to enter amongst the Carthusians,
but his object was defeated by the clear-sighted-
ness of Berchmans, who immediately they, had
reached the college, repaired to the superior and
informed him of the state of his young associ-
ate’s mind. The poor young man had got the
idea that he should be of no use to the society,
that he was incapable of serving it, that an
order which had little or no intercourse with
seculars would be better suited to his disposi-
tion, and that he should there work out his
salvation with greater security. But no sooner
had he entered his superior’s apartment, (who
sent for him upon receiving Berchmans’ commu-
nication,) than his trouble of mind was instantly
dissipated, he felt resolved to live and die a
good Jesuit, as in fact he happily did by the
grace of Jesus Christ and the charity of his

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zealous companion, to whom under God he ever
after acknowledged himself indebted for so great
a favor. The holy prior of the Carthusians,
who had been thus reluctantly called out of his
solitude to undertake this affair, was most happy
to hear of the young man’s altered sentiments,
and as he had in common with his order a great
regard for the Society of Jesus, he was delighted
to learn from the young Jesuit himself, his de-
terminati on to persevere. Berchmans felt deeply
convinced that this perseverance was the seal
of predestination in a religious soul, that it was
impossible to separate one from the other ; and
hence he looked upon the grace of dying in re-
ligion as one of the most infallible assurances
of salvation “ How can it possibly be other-
wise?” said he, with the look and manner of
a seraph, “is it possible to die a Jesuit without
dying a saint? it is true we cannot merit the
latter grace, but we may hope it when we have
the former. Yes, it depends upon ourselves to
be saints by following the rules of our holy in- *
stitute ; let us not imagine that it is necessary
for this purpose to perform great and extraor-
dinary actions. No; our perfection consists in
doing our common duties with an uncommon
love of God.” This principle was deeply graven
in the heart of Berchmans, and was ever present
to his mind.

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His great devotion was to observe the rules
of the community. 44 Of all mortifications,” said
he, 14 that which gives me the greatest pleasure,
and to which I most willingly attach myself, is
to discharge with strict fidelity all the duties of
community life.” One of the most striking
characteristics of his virtue was the absence of
all singularity; he never stepped beyond the
beaten path ; the slightest duties, if prescribed
to the community, were precious in his sight,
not only because it was a favorite maxim with
him, to esteem little things, but chiefly, be-
cause being common to others, and being regu-
lated by superiors, he found therein less danger
of gratifying self-love, and more certainty of
practicing the love of God. From amongst
numerous examples we will select but one,
which though trivial in itself, is not less worthy
of record, if we estimate actions as we ought,
by the motive which animates them, ♦and by
the virtuous circumstances which enhance their
value. Berchmans took no pleasure in amusing
games, he preferred conversing with his brothers
either on spiritual or studious subjects. Never-
theless, as certain games or trials of skill were
permitted, in order to divert these young men,
and to unbend their minds, so continually en-
gaged in serious application, he generally yielded
to their pressing solicitations, and joined in their

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TIIE LIFE OF

games with great cheerfulness, notwithstanding
the repugnance he really felt for everything of the
sort ; whether he lost or gained, the sweet sere-
nity of his countenance never altered. When
the game seemed doubtful, he expressed his
opinion without heat or contention ; if he tri-
umphed he was not elated, and if he was van-
* quished he was just as joyous as the victors,
and kneeling down he immediately recited the
prayer which had previously been agreed upon
as the price of victory. Such were the inno-
cent amusements of these fervent youths, 'vyhicb
were always animated by obedience, meekness,
and modesty. These were the steps by which
Berchmans mounted to so high a degree of
sanctity as to be looked upon as a perfect
model of a young Jesuit, more particularly
during the scholastic term. Whilst upon this
subject it will not be amiss to trace the excel-
lent method he pursued in his studies, and the
admirable alliance which he made of the most
tender devotion with the dry speculations of
science. According to the evidence of-the pro-
fessors under whom he studied philosophy and
mathematics during three years, his mind was
of the most comprehensive order; capable of
the highest sciences, possessed of a retentive
memory, a quick conception, a solid judgment,
in fine, all that could enable him to become

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. H3

learned with little trouble on his part ; never-
theless, he took as much pains to supply the
want of talent, as he could have done had he in
reality been possessed of none. Excelling his
fellow-students by diligence and facility in learn-
ing, it is easy to imagine how much he must
have been their superior in ability ; yet he made
no account of these advantages; his humility*
was far greater than his learning. If he studied
more than others, it was from no vain desire of su-
periority, but merely that he might be better able
to serve the society, as he always observed,
when admonished that his excessive applica-
tion was injurious to his health ; adding, that
in a religious no application could be too great,
since his zeal and capacity ought to be without
measure.

The elevated idea he had of his sublime vo-
cation was a sort of goad, which constantly
urged him forward with generous emulation, to
pursue the thorny career of abstract sciences,
which beginners usually find so difficult and
repulsive. Philosophy alone did not satisfy
either the activity of his mind, or the assiduity
of his study : he added to it mathematics, from
which physics derive such help, and borrow
such certain light; to these studies, compre-
hensive as they were, he added history and lan-
guages ; and in fact, neglected no means of ac*

8

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quiring useful information. This assemblage
of different ideas caused no confusion in his
well-regulated mind ; all was arranged there in
most distinct order, to be subservient to use
when necessity might require it. His masters,
who discerned the extent of his mental powers,
charged him with this multiplicity of study;
for in this, as in everything else, he acted only
by obedience, without which he would not so
much as cast his eye upon a book, persuaded
that in study, no less than in devotion, the best
security of advancement is to act with dépend-
ance upon the advice of those whom God has
given us for superiors. But as we have already
remarked, the variety of his studies did not
impede the progress of the one grand lesson,
perfection, to which he always dedicated his
best hours, looking upon the rest as only acces-
sories, bestowing upon them that time which
others usually spent either in useless visits or
in entertainments little to the purpose.

He had made it an inviolable practice from
his first entrance into the noviciate, to fill up
every vacant moment by some exercise, either
of piety or study : this resolution was much
strengthened during the time he lived in the
Roman College : he very frequently renewed it
in his meditations, (as we learn from his mem-
oranda,) protesting before God, to apply with

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unremitting ardor to attain the end of his vo-
cation ; adding, “ I will apply most seriously
and constantly to my studies, as to one of the
most efficacious means to reach this end : I did
not enter into religion to lead an idle life, but
to labor : it was only on this condition that the I
Father of the . family condescended to open the
door of His house in my favor : to correspond,
therefore, with His goodness, I must do my
utmost to render myself able to glorify Him
throughout the world. Alas! how many labor
only to dishonor Him ! ungrateful should I be
if I did not seek His honor I True glory con-
sists in advancing the glory of God ; and I
shall never succeed in this' unless I give all the
application of my mind to study, and all the
affections of my heart to virtue.” As he had
drawn up his plan of conduct for the latter, so
did he likewise minutely regulate the order of
his studies. He wrote for this purpose a small
treatise, which he entitled, “ The Perfect Scho-
lar of the Society.” It shall be inserted in the
4th book of this Life. The model he there
drew of a perfect student was accomplished in
his person, for he was a faithful copy of it, so
that it may with truth be said, that he sancti-
fied himself as much by study as by the study
of sanctity. Towards his masters he ever
showed the most profound respect; they were

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THE LIFE OF

oracles in his regard ; he received their opinions
with docility, and maintained them with ardor.
Sometimes his companions would oppose them
for the mere pleasure of making Berchmans
argue in their defence, which he did in so lively
and animated a manner, yet at the same time
with so much modesty and civility, that whilst
he honored the doctrine of his professors, he
never offended those who were pretending to
oppose him. In order to obtain from Heaven
the gift of wisdom, he often recited the prayer
of Solomon, “ Give me, O Lord, a share of that
wisdom which assists at Thy councils, that it
may labor with me and remain with me,” He
always recited it on his knees, and he candidly
owned that he derived more light from it than
from the most profound speculations. He never
separated study from prayer, and as it was im-
possible for him to pray more frequently than
he did, so neither could he study with greater
application ; the excess to which he carried it
often occasioned serious headaches ; his remedy
in these cases, was to read some spiritual book
or recite the beads, which never failed to re-
lieve him, so great was the pleasure produced
by prayer and pious lecture. When our
Divine Lord was pleased to leave Berchmans
in obscurity of mind, (which sometimes hap-
pened,) he would go at the appointed hour to

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expose his difficulty to his master, acting with
great respect and precaution. If he found the
professor pre-engaged, he waited silently at the
door until the person within had finished ; then
entering with his eyes cast down, making a
profound reverence, he proposed his doubts,
always standing bare-headed, unless expressly
ordered to put on his cap, and even then he
always raised his cap at the beginning of each
new subject. When the answer was given, if
he did not clearly understand it, (which very
seldom happened,) “ Excuse me, father,” he
would say with great humility and modesty,
44 if I trouble you to repeat your solution, I do
not as yet comprehend it well.” If when made
tolerably clear, he still remained unsatisfied, he
always applied in a manner which appeared
less a contradiction than an inquiry for more
ample explanations, which were no sooner
given than he would retire with thanks, care-
fully avoiding to introduce any superfluous
subject of conversation.

After having employed the first hours of the
day in prayer and study, he prepared himself
for class duties by a visit to the Blessed Sacra-
ment. Not to be hurried in the performance
of this devotion, he always left his room some
time before the bell rung ; upon hearing it he
rose from the spot where he had been kneeling,

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THE LIFE OF

waiting at the door for admission in strict
silence, with a book in his hand that he might
lose no time. During the class-hours his eyes
« never wandered from his books, and nothing
seemed able to divert his attention from the
then present duty. He was never heard to
complain either that the dictation was too rapid
or continued too long; if any word escaped
that he could not write at the moment, he left
a space for it to be filled up after the lesson,
not to break silence during the time it lasted.
According to his custom he made a repetition
of the lesson afterwards to some young scho-
lars of distinction, who had formed amongst
themselves a sort of academy, which terminated
immediately the clock summoned them to some
other duty ; for however much these young
people might regret the loss of his company,
Berchmans preferred his duty .to the pleasure
they would all have felt in remaining longer
together. He quitted class with the same si-
lence and recollection that had accompanied
him to it, never allowing himself the liberty of
speaking a word. He used the utmost reserve
in his scholastic disputations, and when it was
his turn to debate, he proposed his arguments
with powerful vivacity, yet always giving his
opponent full leisure to repeat them, to examine
them, and to disprove them if he could, but

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never interrupting him till his chain of argu-
ments was ended, which Berchmans would im-
mediately resume, would combat the answer,
expose its weak points, and crush it by the
mere force of intellect ; yet he did this without
raising his voice immoderately, and without
the slightest change of countenance. In fine,
his manner altogether proved how totally un-
conscious he was of his own superiority. When
it was his turn to defend a point, he maintained
throughout the discussion the utmost presence
of mind, enlivened however by a discreet and
graceful energy which delighted every one.
He was attentive to every word of the proposed
argument, subtle and prompt in giving his
solutions, clear and precise in defending the
opinions of his master, modest and reserved in
refuting those of his adversary, and thus gave
equal proofs of his virtue and of his capacity.
Both of these appeared in full lustre at his
examination in philosophy, which happily took
place on the day dedicated by the Church to
the festival of St. Joseph. He begged of this
great saint (the spouse of our Blessed Lady) to
be his protector, and of this holy Mother, that
she would condescend to be his mediatrix with
her dear Son, in whom is “hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and science of the Eternal
Father.” He added many penances to his

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THE LIFE OF

prayer ; and, to omit nothing on his part which
might draw down the benedictions of Heaven,
he went to the father-rector, a moment or
two before the examination began, to beg his
blessing and prayers. The success answered
such holy dispositions. Nothing could surpass
the solidity and clearness with which he an-
swered the arguments of the fathers ; he satisfied
them so completely, that they unanimously chose
him to maintain the whole course of philosophi-
cal disputations. He received this mark of their
consideration and esteem with the most sincere
conviction of his own unworthiness. And as
he had an extreme aversion for everything
which might bring him honor, he dreaded this
much, and felt himself strongly inspired in
prayer to refuse it, unless his confessor judged
that it might contribute to the glory of God.
His wise director listened to his reasons and
approved of his sentiments, but wished him to
undertake the task in a spirit of obedience, and
he discharged it in a manner which gained the
applause of the whole assembly.

He acquitted himself with the same success
in all his other duties, particularly in those
which were common to the young students of
the society. He looked upon his superiors as
the representatives of God to him, and those
rules which related to them were of such im-

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portance in his sight, that he was as exact in
them as he was in those duties which referred,
immediately to Almighty God Himself. This
impression inspired him with a filial veneration
for their persons and character, which made
him sometimes say that there would be little
merit in obeying, if the merit of obedience con-
sisted only in the pain of receiving, or in the
difficulty of accomplishing, the orders given;
that his duty in this respect had always been
conformable to his inclination; that from the
moment he became a Jesuit, he had always con-
sidered as fathers those whom Providence had
assigned him for masters, and that consequently
he had never felt the least objection to them,
nor any difficulty in submitting to their will.
It is the practice in the Boman College for the
students in philosophy to serve a mass every
morning. The one which fell to Berchmans’
share was unusually long, and occupied a good
part of the time which was most proper for
study; yet he never had a thought to ask to
have it changed ; and when, after some time, a
change was made in the arrangement, it was
to desire Berchmans to serve the mass of a good
father whose infirmities made him unable to
appoint any fixed hour for the purpose; conse-
quently he was liable to be called, now at one
hour, now at another, thus interfering sadly

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with his time of study. The sacristan express-
ing his compassion at the inconvenience, “ I de-
serve none, my dear brother,” answered Berch-
mans, with his usual composure; “it can at
no time be troublesome to obey, more particu-
larly when we have the honor of serving at the
holy sacrifice of the mass.” Animated with
these pious sentiments, he went daily to the
professed house, there to devote the morning to
this holy exercise, of which even angels may
be jealous, the manner in which he discharged
this duty giving him a strong resemblance to
these celestial beings. His love of God con-
tinually drew him to the presence of the Bless
ed Sacrament ; he never lost an opportunity of
repairing thither to offer his respectful homage.

He was always glad when any of the fathers
called him to accompany them in their visits
to our different houses in the town, because
whilst they were arranging affairs, he took the
opportunity of retiring to the church ; he was
however most punctual in being at the door
again at the moment which the father had ap-
pointed. It was a great pleasure to him to ac-
company those who were desired to catechise
in the public places; but when he himself was
commissioned to do it, his joy was inexpressi-
bly great. Being one day ordered to go for
this pious purpose to a street near to the church

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of our Lady on the Mount, he found a sort of
table surrounded by gamblers and other profli-
gate characters ; he wished to stand upon this
table that he might be more easily heard by
the crowd around ; but these rude men would
not allow it, and ordered him to go off else-
where, applying at the same time the 'most in-
sulting epithets. Berchmans, with great com-
posure, and without even a change of counte-
nance, entered the church of our Lady, where
he made a short prayer ; then returning to the
spot where he had left the gamblers, he stepped
upon the table in the midst of them all, no one
daring to oppose him, and began to preach as
usual. Scarcely had he uttered the first few
words, than (according to the prediction he
made to his companion a moment or two before)
these men surrounded him and listened with
the greatest attention till the instruction was
ended, which so touched their hearts, that they
threw down their dice and cards at the feet of
the holy young preacher, and conducted him
back with honor to the college doors. The art
of instructing the minds and moving the hearts
of his hearers, was so peculiar in Berchmans,
that, young as he was, he was charged with the
spiritual instruction of the servants. This
office was just suited to his own inclination, and
he acquitted himself of it so perfectly, that all

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of them well understood what they were obliged
to believe and practise for the perfection and
salvation of their souls. He induced them to
adopt the good custom of frequent confession,
and that they might give general edification, he
made them communicate altogether at the same
mass with those of the house who were not yet
admitted to the priesthood, which communion
is given by the superior. This enlightened
man continually exercised the obedience and
humility of Berchmans; he took pleasure in
charging him with acts both of one and the
other; he received the orders with joy, and
practised them with alacrity. Being desired
to assist the spiritual father in taking care of
his room, he kept it so neat and clean, and
so well provided with the little conveniences
suited to a man of his years, and was besides
so quiet and so little importunate, that the good
father was quite delighted. Although his own
room was very scantily furnished, he loved it
tenderly, and might always be found in it, un-
less piety, obedience, or charity, called him
elsewhere. “ I will love,” said he, “this dear
cell;” for he had learned from St. Bernard,
that God was to be found there no less than in
heaven; and that the true means to make a
Paradise of it, was to remain much in it. He
was careful whilst in it not to inconvenience

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his companions: to whom, however, he gave
full liberty to do just as they pleased, assuring
them that nothing could give him greater
trouble than to feel that his presence imposed
any restraint upon them. His affability and
kind consideration made his companions all
eager to share his room with him ; not that it
was more convenient or more ornamented than
the rest ; on the contrary, it was the ‘most plain
and unadorned of any, having barely the fur-
niture of the holy prophet’s chamber. He
would have had a scruple to have admitted the
least ornament, and would have thought him-
self wanting in the spirit of poverty, had his
lodging been provided with everything conve-
nient. In compliance with this rule, he loved
poverty as he would have loved his own
mother, and was delighted to bear the marks
of it about his person, and in everything he
made use of, being more fearful of superfluity
than most persons are of wanting necessaries.
He had brought with him from Flanders a sash
of a somewhat finer texture than those usually
worn in the Boman College ; he had no rest
until he had got rid of it. It was the same
with some engravings which had been given to
him: he placed them all in the hands of his
superiors, even those inscribed with the names
of the friends who had given them to him, fear

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fill that if he retained these small pledges of
affection, the perfect love of Jesus might there-
by suffer from a division of his heart, and that
strict poverty would likewise be infringed.

On one occasion that he was unable to ask the
father-rector’s permission to give away a little
picture, the occasion seemed so pressing that he
presumed upon a tacit leave to dispose of it,
but scarcely had he done so than his conscience
became alarmed, and however good reason he
had to know that his superior approved of
what he had done, he most bitterly deplored
it to the end of his life; and that he might
never lose the recollection of it, he made a
memorandum of it in these words: “I once
gave away a picture without having previously
asked permission so great was his delicacy of

conscience on this point. Two common paper
prints, one pasted on the wall, and the other
fixed upon his table, that it might always be
before his eyes when he studied, a wooden cross
blackened only with ink upon his praying-place,
and a rosary of the same description suspended
from his girdle, formed the catalogue of his
riches, or more properly, of his devotion. He
always chose the coarsest sort of paper for his
writings, and was careful to leave as small a
margin as he possibly could, and to yrrite in
small characters ; for he considered these little

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observances (which certain strong minds may
call absurd) as duties véry dear and precious
to souls penetrated with the love of Jesus Christ
and of His holy poverty. His love of poverty
increased daily, from the desire he had to imi-
tate in all respects St. Aloysius Gonzaga. It
was this spirit that induced him to say, (after a
visit to Cardinal Bellarmine, when asked what
he would have done if his Eminence had of-
fered him a present,) “ I should not have ac-
cepted it, and I am sure that this religious
prelate would not have been displeased .’ 7 This
remark of Berchmans 7 was afterwards related
to the cardinal, who quite approved of it, add^
ing, “It is just as Blessed Aloysius would
have answered and acted . 77 Like this young
saint, Berchmans always sought the most hum-
ble offices ; he was ingenious in contriving how
they might fall to his share. To help in the
kitchen, wash the dishes, and sweep the house,
were the occupations most desired by his am-
bition. Being sent with some other students
to Frescati, to assist in the offices of Holy
Week, he arrived the first, and immediately
took up a broom to sweep and clean the house,
that all might be neat and ready for his com-
panions on their arrival. They had been over-
taken by a storm, and in consequence did not
reach Frescati till late; they were quite wet

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and covered with mud. Berchmans exerted
himself to relieve their pitiful condition by
every means he could devise : he secretly car-
ried away their shoçs, and having dried and
cleaned them he conveyed them to their cham-
bers ready for the morning. His dear brothers
noticing this office of charity, concluded imme-
diately that it was a holy contrivance of Berch-
mans ; they taxed him with it with a friendly
reproach, which/ he received in silence and with
a smile, leaving them as much edified by his
humility as by his charity. The practice of
these two virtues may be said to have been the
delight of his heart ; and as serving in the re-
fectory gave him the opportunity of exercising
both, he had a great devotion to this duty : be-
sides the two days every week which fell to his
share, he contrived by pious ingenuity to secure
two others, so that by some means or other,
scarcely a day passed without his serving at
table, and then nothing escaped his vigilance ;
his strict modesty did not prevent him from
serving and providing for all. There was no
one who was not pleased with the manner he
discharged this duty, the father-rector more so
than any one; nevertheless, thinking that he
was burthened with it too often, he desired him
to be content with serving when his day came.
Berchmans, still more submissive than fervent,

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or to speak more correetly, judging that there
could be no true fervor without submission,
received the order without reply, and fulfilled
it with his usual exactness. There was no
action, however holy, which he would not aban-
don for the sake of obedience. Amongst nu-
merous proofs of this religious spirit, one was
continually observed and admired, though tri-
fling in itself. When he had finished serving,
he generally paid a little visit to the Blessed
Sacrament, between the first and second table ;
it frequently happened that he was scarcely
upon his knees than the bell rang for the
second table ; he arose immediately, preferring
the accomplishment of the Divine will, intimated
by the sound of the bell, to the satisfaction he
would have had in sweet communication with
his Saviour. Under any other consideration,
quitting the church for the refectory would
have given him great pain; indeed, nothing
could make eating and drinking supportable to
him but obedience, and the opportunity it gave
him of mortifying himself.

Besides this abstemious diet, which has been
already noticed, he had many other pious peni-
tential practices ; particularly prostrating to kiss
the feet of his brethren, which he always did
with evident consolation of soul. No one could
see him in this pious exercise without emotion j
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he was not content to kiss their feet, he pressed
them to his lips, and seemed as if he wished
to imprint his heart upon them. Father Cepari,
the rector, declares this of him, adding, that he
could not cause him a greater joy than to ap-
point him to the most humiliating offices. It
was a great pleasure to our fervent young Jesuit
to collect the fragments left upon the dinner-
tables, and distribute them amongst the poor :
the cheerfulness with which he executed these
and similar commissions, appeared even upon
his countenance.

To clean and arrange the lamps was the
occupation he coveted, on account of its many
inconveniences: it was doubly precious to him,
because Blessed Aloysius had previously exer-
cised it in the same house and in the same cir-
cumstances, with great edification to all. Berch-
mans, who made it a pious duty to walk in the
footsteps of his youthful patron, procured this
office (like him) through his own earnest entrea-
ties, and discharged it with the same exactitude.
We may add by way of remark, that it was no
easy employment in the Roman College, where
the lamps were so numerous, to keep them clean
and well furnished; to light them and extin-
guish them, especially in the depth of winter,
required a great deal of time and care. He
never failed in the least point of so unpleasant

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à duty, arranging them daily, even those which
were only used for diversion in the country.
Early in the morning he did part of them before
he began his studies'; and in the evening he
made his rounds, in order to complete what he
had before been obliged to leave unfinished.
Never had been seen better order or more
cleanliness in an office where it is so difficult to
preserve either. The superior wished to take
it from him, perceiving his hands swollen, and
his fingers frozen by the cold of winter, which
though of shorter duration in Rome, is not less
severe there than elsewhere; but Berchmans
was so urgent in his solicitations to continue it,
that the superior could not persist in depriving
him of this opportunity of suffering for Jesus
Christ. The frost that year was so intense that
his face was parched, and in a manner excoria-
ted by it. “What have you been doing to
yourself, my dear brother?” said one of the
older fathers, who met him in this pitiable con-
dition, and supposé he had done it for mortifica-
tion. “ Pardon me, Reverend Father,” answered
the disciple of a crucified Jesus, “ I have done
nothing to put myself in this state, but even if
I had, I am sure your Reverence would not be
displeased that I should bear some marks of
the mortification of our Divine Master.” Still
more profoundly engraven in his heart were

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the sentiments of deep humility, which the
same Divine Lord taught him so affectionately
to love. Founded upon the principle of which
we have already spoken, that he had been
received into the society from pure charity, he
felt bound to conduct himself as a servant to
them all : he always looked upon them as his
masters, and this hhmble idea, which was
never effaced from his mind, nourished in him
an utter contempt and disregard of self, with
the highest esteem and respect for all his
brothers. His upright mind recoiled at the
least symptom of flattery, which generally
wounds truth in the person who offers it, and
humility in the person who receives it. When
any of his companions were particularly success-
ful in their public dissertations, he did not load
them with complimentary congratulations, espe-
cially in the presence of others, and his reasons
for it were, that he must either praise all, or be
silent with respect to some. “Now,” said he,
“ to praise all, exposes me to -the danger of false-
hood ; to praise but a few, may be painful to
the rest; silence shelters me from both these
inconveniences.” Moreover his caution did not
lead him into the opposite extreme, so much
the more dangerous as being liable to destroy
the best feefings of charity. We allude to those
criticising, self-sufficient minds, who think

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 138

nothing good but what they do themselves.
No one imputed anything of this spirit to the
reserve of Berchmans ; it was too well under-
stood, and was besides, accompanied by a smile
and look of such sincere approbation and
pleasure, that though his tongue were silent,
everything in him seemed to speak and declare
the satisfaction he felt at the success of these
dear brothers: his prudent conduct in their
regard was ever animated and ruled by the
most perfect charity.

It remains for us now to observe his conduct
towards God, and his constant spirit of devotion,
which led him to the most exact accomplish-
ment of all the duties of his holy state. Devo-
tion is nothing else than a fixed purpose of soul,
which carries her with promptitude to accom-
plish all that God requires, and more particu-
larly all that relates more immediately to His
own divine service. It is frequently confounded
with a certain spiritual tenderness sometimes
experienced in spiritual duties. Berchmans
carefully distinguished devotion from sensibili-
ty, and was quite content to love God without
seeking to enjoy the sweetness of His love. A
Jesuit did not appear to him deserving of pity,
merely because he was deprived of sensible
devotion ; but truly deplorable is he who pos-
sesses not true devotion. “ It is the soul of a

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memoer of the society,” said he with great
animation; “without it, vain will be all his
studies, preachings, and labors : never will he
do anything worthy of God, but with it he will
do wonders, even though his talents should
not surpass mediocrity.” Penetrated with these
sentiments, he earnestly begged it of Almighty
God, neglecting nothing on his part that could
enable him to acquire it. He labored particu-
larly in his spiritual exercises, to enkindle
this sacred fire, nourishing its flame by holy
thoughts, and fortifying it by the practice of
severe penitential austerities. He regularly
took the discipline three or four times a week
even unto blood. In addition to a kind of fast
prescribed by the rule on all Fridays, he fastened
upon Saturdays also in honor of his dear Mo-
ther, our Blessed Lady, and wore a very rough
hair-shirt. Had it depended upon him, he would
have gone much further in this respect, but
his superiors, having more consideration for the
weakness of his constitution than for the fervor
of his soul, obliged him to moderate his austeri-
ties; judging moreover, that his manner of
life, which was one continued recollection
joined to an incessant application, was of itself
a severe mortification, more likely to reduce
and debilitate him than any penances. To sup-
ply the deficiency of these, of which he had so

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ardent a thirst, he was careful to lose none of
those which Providence placed in his way, es-
teeming them as highly as he would if some
precious relics of the holy cross had been pre-
sented to him; differing widely from those who
pursue the mortifications which are forbidden
them, and neglect such as are prescribed them,
showing clearly by the irregularity of their
conduct, that they seek less to mortify their
self-will than to indulge it in their mortifica-
tions. Berchmans’ vigilance was incessant,
that he might l$t slip no opportunity of curb-
ing and destroying his own will ; and what self-
love does in imperfect souls by making them
seek their own pleasure and comfort, divine
love did in him by inducing him to do every-
thing that was contrary to his own inclination.
He was ingenious in the art of self-tormenting,
or at least of depriving himself of natural con-
veniences. Whether he was seated to read, or
kneeling to pray, he never supported himself
either upon his table or oratory ; he considered
that his lecture would have been less merito-
rious, and his prayer less respectful, if he had
sought in either a comfortable position. When-
ever he was spared on one point, he took care
to make up for it some other way. The weak-
ness of his chest did not allow him to read at
table in the large refectory of the Homan Col

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lege. He looked upon this indulgence on the
part of his superiors as a great loss to him; to
compensate him in some manner for it, he ob-
tained their permission to go and read to the
sick in the infirmaries at certain hours of the
day ; this was to him a sweet recreation, nor
did he ever desire any other.

The half hour which is allowed at the end of
recreation to those who have been employed in
serving at table, or in washing dishes, was
always devoted by Berchmans to this spiritual
reading. When at Frescati, during the long
vacations, he gave an hour at least to it; for
the diversions would have been tedious to him,
if he had not divided his time between the
amusements of his companions, and his much
more delightful entertainments with God.
When in the country he formed a kind of spir-
itual desert in his interior, out of which obe-
dience called him from time to time to recreate
himself with his dear brothers, but to which he
retired again as soon as possible, to enjoy in
silence his sweet intercourse with his heavenly
Father. It was thus he sanctified his recreation
days, in which piety had far the greater share.
Careful as he was to spend them in devotion,
they seemed to him too distracting and dissi-
pating to allow of his approaching the Author
of Grace by holy communion; and however

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ardent his desires might be, he did not think
that he could bring to it that recollection of
mind which so holy an action deserves, particu-
larly as he had not the entire morning at his
own disposal to consecrate to ft. When it hap-
pened (as it occasionally did) that his devotion
could be gratified on this point, his admiring
companions were careful to do nothing that
could disturb his calm serenity of soul, leaving
him full liberty to enjoy the delights of his
Heavenly Guest, contenting themselves with
the share he gave them in his fervent prayer ;
they did the same for him on similar occasions,
and in this charitable alliance, which St. Basil
terms a commerce of piety, he begged they
would obtain for him of our Lord grace to ad
vance in the science of the saints, and to grow
strong in health and in doctrine, if it were to
the greater glory of God. He made this dis-
tinction between the first of these favors and
the two last, that he absolutely desired and
sought the former; and the others, only on
condition that he should make a holy use of
them, devoting them to the good of souls and
the glory of his Creator ; which proves how
near and dear to his heart were the interests of
Almighty God.

Dead to everything else, he led, according to
the maxim of St. Paul, life hidden in God with

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Jesus Christ, being interiorly occupied with
His divine mysteries, and ever disposed to con-
template His sovereign greatnèss. Not that the
humble young man affected any extraordinary
methods of prayêr, for esteeming himself un-
worthy of the lowest rank before God, he held
himself profoundly annihilated at the foot of
the throne of this Sovereign Majesty. Like a
true son of St. Ignatius, he diligently studied
the manner of prayer, of which this great
master of spiritual life has traced such excel-
lent rules, observing even the least of them
with most scrupulous fidelity ; in fact, his ex-
actitude could not possibly be greater, and in
recompense our Lord raised him to a most sub-
lime degree of prayer. Every night he pre-
pared his meditation for the following morning,
arranging the points and the principal affec-
tions to be excited ; he repassed all this in his
memory just before he fell asleep, and recalled
them to mind the moment he woke. As soon
as he arose, he fell upon his knees to offer
homage and thanksgiving to his Creator. This
first action of the day was performed prostrate
before that poor cross which has been already
mentioned in alluding to his love of poverty ;
he kissed it with tender devotion, and amor-
ously adored this God of goodness, to whose
passion he was so sensibly devoted. His love

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was testified by inflamed sighs, which burst
from his heart as soon as his companions had
left the room. Surprised in these transports of
devotion by one of them who had remained in
the room unperceived by Berchmans, he was
confounded that any other than Almighty God
should have witnessed his emotion, and resolved
in future to be so careful and watchful, that
nothing should exteriorly appear to indicate
those favors which our Divine Lord was pleased
to operate in his soul. However, notwithstand-
ing all his vigilance, there were moments when
he was no longer master of himself ; and then
praying in the company of others, he could not
conceal the saGred fire which inflamed him;
he could neither suppress his sighs, nor certain
ardent expressions of love, which, in spite of
himself, betrayed the secret of his heart. These
exterior marks of his vehement love, far from
troubling those who were praying with him,
served to recal them to most profound recollec-
tion ; and, as if the charity of their holy brother
had become common to all, they owned that how-
ever cold or tepid they had previously felt,
they then became animated by an extraordinary
fervor, and penetrated with a holy unction most
consoling to them. At tl^e conclusion of his
prayer (which he could with difficulty force
himself to quit) he arose, and repeatedly kissed

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THE LIFE OF

a picture of our Blessed Lady holding the
Divine Infant in her arms, intending to show
by this action the desire he had to leave his
heart at the sacred feet of Jesus and Mary. It
is not surprising that he was thus affectionately
devoted to them; he received from them an
abundance of graces and consolations, which
seemed to increase as the end of his life drew
nigh ; for about eight months before his death
(on Saturday, the 18th of December, 1620), it
was, as he himself acknowledged, like a flood
of peace, the most delicious peace, which our
Lord infused into his soul ; the sweet effects of
it were perceived by all who had the happiness
of conversing with him ; and they unanimously
declared that the words of the servant of God,
at this period of his life, impressed on their,
hearts sentiments of most tender devotion.

Although these feelings of consolation and
sweet sensibility of soul were very frequent at
this time, their current did not flow so uni-
formly, but that the spring seemed occasionally
to be dried up. From time to time he suffered
the most distressing aridity of soul, which
obliged him to exclaim with holy David, “ Re-
store to me, O 'Lord the joy of Thy Holy
Spirit and “ Let a ray of Thy light shine on
my soul, and the cloud shall be dissipated.”
He endured these bitter privations with most

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perfect resignation, and however painful they
might be to him, his fervor, like his submis-
sion, was uniform and constant. Faithful to
God under these trials, he advanced as rapidly
in the way of perfection when Providence
planted thorns in his path, as he did when it
was strewed with flowers ; and notwithstanding
the obscurity caused in his soul by the absence
of the Sun of Justice, the same calm repose
reigned there as if it were illumined by the
brilliant rays of joy. Moreover this obscurity
was seldom of long duration : a soul so pure
would soon discern its God amidst the thickest
gloom, and this generally occurred during the
days of his retreat, more especially in the retreat
made by the students at the termination of the
scholastic year; and then the Holy Ghost find-
ing him totally disengaged from every other
study but the science of the saints, communi-
cated Himself to him with such a profusion of
graces, and so enlightened his mind, that He
seemed almost to open heaven to him, and sub-
mit to his view the Eternal Truth divested of all
shade or cloud, and encompassed by majesty and
beauty. During these seasons of spiritual abund-
ance he provided himself (according to his own
remark) with all that could be necessary against
a day of sterility ; so that nothing should be
wanting to him during the whole ensuing year,

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owing to the gracious liberality of our Divine
Lord. One thing that helped materially to sus-
tain his devotion, was his frequent practice of
visiting the Blessed Sacrament. We have al-
ready remarked, that, like a faithful courtier, he
was assiduous in rendering homage to his hea-
venly King: his ordinary custom was to visit
Him six or seven times a day at least, besides
the extraordinary visits from time to time when
he found more leisure, especially during any
public diversions, from which this tender favor-
ite of our Lord would steal away, to go in secret
and spiritually recreate himself with the beloved
Friend of his soul. The most delicious pleasure
to him in this world was found at the eucharistie
table ; and his most ardent desire was to approach
it frequently. This heavenly manna created in .
his soul an appetite that was ever on the in-
crease, and produced effects which were evident
to all. The same happened to him with regard
to this spiritual nourishment, that the corporal
appetite experiences when left too long without
support : in proportion as the day of one com-
munion passed, he longed for the arrival of the
next; and when a festival happened to fall upon
a Sunday, he would say to his companions with
a deep sigh, “ Ah, my brothers, what a loss for
us ! we shall now be deprived of a communion
and unless some feast occurred in the week, he

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always implored leave to make an extra com-
munion, in order to supply the deficiency. His
superior never refused him this satisfaction,
being too glad to assist his devotion by all pos-
sible means. Whilst enjoying the presence of
his Saviour, he was so penetrated therewith,
that he could with difficulty be roused to a sense
of what was passing around ; nor could he, with-
out effort, be drawn from the spot where he
knelt to make his thanksgiving. His feelings
were much the same when, after spending some
time in the chureh, hè was obliged to quit it :
his companion usually found it necessary to
shake him several times, to arouse him from
this sort of mystic slumber, which entranced
him and suspended every other thought and
feeling which was.not connected with the loved
Spouse of his soul. It would be impossible that
Berchmans, so filled with the love of Jesus,
should not most tenderly love His holy Mother.
His devotion to her had been imbibed in early
infancy; even then he consecrated himself en-
tirely to her service. That he might have more
liberty to make her the ordinary subject of his
conversation, he made open profession of belong-
ing to her. 44 Yes, I am wholly her’s,” would
he say with most lively affection, 44 and I will
remain her’s to the last breath of life:” then
amorously addressing himself to this august

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Queen, he added, “You are my dearest patroness;
the patroness of my sdul, of my studies, of my
salvation, and of my perfection. I depend in
all things on your maternal goodness, and here
will I repose with the confidence of a child.”
He addressed himself to her at the beginning
of every action ; and as he considered recrea-
tion to be one of the most dangerous duties, he
always went to her- altar to recommend it to
her particular care. One day that he was led
off by three or four of his companions, who were
eager to secure the pleasure of conversing with
him, he forgot this little preparatory visit for
' some minutes ; but no sooner did he recollect
'himself than, interrupting the discourse, he
begged their permission to go and pay his ac-
customed respects to his dear mother. To this
they willingly assented ; and on his return, after
satisfying his devotion, he took the opportunity
of speaking highly in her honor. He made it a
rule to say the rosary in the chapel dedicated to
her, as well as other prayers, which he called
the flowers destined for a spiritual bouquet, to
be .presented to her on her festivals. He com-
pared his beads to a happy chain, which bound
him to the Queen of Angels ; he wore it fas-
tened to his girdle during the day, and round
his arm in the night, though for the last year
of his life he wore it round his neck.

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About this time he thought of a devotion
which delighted Cardinal Beflarmine. This
zealous servant of Mary, always ardent in
honoring the mystery of the Immaculate Con-
ception, was not content with believing it from
the bottom of his heart, (not doubting for a
moment but that God had thus pre-eminently
distinguished her,) but he made an express vow,
that if he were ever capable of writing a work
fit for publication, that should be the subject of
it; and until his capacity should be equal to
this, he promised to defend the truth of it by
all the means in his power. It was in the follow-
ing terms that he made this engagement, which
was found in his own hand- writing amongst his
papers after his decease : “ Holy Mary, Mother
of God, in the presence of your dear Son, whom
I believe to be truly present in the most holy
Sacrament of the altar, I promise to Him and
to you that I will ever believe and defend, to
the end of my life, the truth of your Immacu-
late Conception. Accept tjiis promise from
John Berchmans, most unworthy son of the
Society of Jesus.” The paper containing this
promise was placed by Berchmans in the hand
of an image of our Blessed Lady. When this
circumstance was related to the learned and
pious cardinal, he exclaimed with great emotion,
“ 0 dear child of Mary! O precious engage-
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ment, worthy of the mother and of the Son !
She only can Bave inspired him with this noble
design. No doubt she desired that this saintly
young man should join his testimony to that
which so many illustrious persons have given
of her Immaculate Conception.”

Berchmans lost no opportunity of honoring
his holy mother. When he went to Frescati, to
enjoy the benefit of country air with his fellow-
students, he seemed only to be there that he
might spend the time in a solemn octave dedi-
cated to her honor, and to engrave the love of
her more deeply in the hearts of his dear broth-
ers. As soon as they were out of Rome, and
had finished the Itinerary, he always recited
the office of our Blessed Lady ; and the praises
which he there found, drawn from scripture and
from the Fathers, furnished ample subject of
entertainment for these her zealous servants,
who were never weary of discoursing upon the
excellences and grandeur of their divine Mis-
tress. Berchmans^ was never at a loss upon
this cherished theme, so that when the memory
of others seemed exhausted, love kept his per-
petually replenished ; so that it was frequently
remarked of him, that he seemed to have read
everything, and to have forgotten nothing, that
related to the honor and praise of the Mother
of God. The church dedicated to her at Grotta

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Ferrata was the usual term of his walk. He
held this place in singular veneration ; first,
because our Blessed Lady is especially honored
there ; and secondly, becaruse it was miraculously
built by St. Nilus, assisted by his companion,
St. Bartholomew: on this account both these
saints are honored in the Farnesian chapel.
We need not detail a thousand other practices
of devotion, of which he acquitted himself with
most constant fidelity, particularly upon Satur-
day, which was very dear to him, because con-
secrated to the Queen of Angels : moreover he
had been born on that day, was received into
the society on it, and, as it afterwards happened,
he was buried on a Saturday. Several times
in the day he recited this sentence, “ I desire
and resolve to love Mary, and will never rest
until I obtain from our Lord a tender love of
His most holy mother.” Whenever he had
any particularly important favor to beg of her,
he used to write it upon paper, together with a
promise to recite certain prayers, or perform
some mortification in her hdnor : then he fasten-
ed this paper to an image of her, and thus
recommended the success of his affair. The
Mother of God seemed pleased with the confi-
dence and simplicity of heart of this her favo-
rite child, and generally granted what was so
filially asked of her.

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He was not content with loving her only.
He revered all who were connected with her.
St. Ann, her blessed mother, and St. Joseph,
her holy spouse, were of this number, particu-
larly the latter ; not only as being head of the
holy family, and as such foster-father and
guardian of the Incarnate , Word, but more
especially because he considered him the per-
fect model of a hidden life, and this had great
charms for our holy Berchmans. So devoted
was he to this privileged patriarch, that he col-
lected in writing whatever he met with in books
relating to the singular favors conferred upon
him by Heaven, and also the numerous miracles
which had been wrought through his interces-
sion. He declared that from the time he had
chosen him to be his advocate, he had never
asked anything in his name without obtaining it.
His devotion towards his angel guardian was
not less tender and confiding. St. John the
Evangelist was one of his favorite patrons ; he
honored St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier as
the fathers of his soul, whilst he loved St.
Stanislaus and St. Aloysius as his most dear and
holy brothers. His affection for the latter was
strengthened by a feeling of gratitude, for he
considered himself indebted to St. Aloysius for
the grace of his vocation in consequence of
having read his Life, and he was persuaded

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that it could be only by the imitation of his
virtues and by the power of his intercession that
he himself could hope to attain to sanctity.
He repaired very frequently to the little chapel
where the relics of this saint were deposited,:
and there mostearnestly begged to be animated
by the same spirit of fervor and devotion. The
praises of this young saint were ever in his
mouth, and the desire of imitating him was
ever in his heart. In this he succeeded so per-
fectly, that St. Aloysius never had a more
faithful copy than John Berchmans. This
opinion- of him was universal in Rome, especial-
ly amongst the Jesuits, who had had the oppor-
tunity of knowing both St. Aloysius and Berch-
mans. In fact, one of our most distinguished
fathers openly expressed as much on the cele-
brated occasion of translating the body of the
former; for accompanying the solemn proces-
sion then made, Fathër Theodore Buseus, seeing
Berchmans pass along, made this remark:
“ Behold the living image of Aloysius Gonzaga !”
A few months after this solemnity Berchmans
entered upon the last year of his life. Like
those which had preceded it r he spent it in the
exercise of all virtues, especially of charity,
which he considered the chief of all, and the
one which was to crown all the rest. He could
speak of nothing but of charity ; he made it the

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subject of his particular examen. Amongst all
his writings of that period, scarcely a page
occurs without these two words, “Charity,
charity.” Such was the disposition of mind of
this servant of God, when Divine Providence
was pleased to*withdraw him from this world,
where he had been left sufficiently long to serve
as a model to young persons of his age and
state. We have seen in the two first books of
this history, what the novices and students of
the society should do to live well, it remains to
show in the next what both must do in order to
die well.

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i BOOK III.

With respect to death, how different are the
dispositions of the just and those of sinners!
It deprives the latter of the goods of this life,
without promising them the blessings of the
next. Even when contemplated at a distance
it occasions regret, but as it approaches they
are seized with -alarm, which often degenerates
into despair. The saints, on the contrary, ex-
pected it with tranquillity and receive it with
joy, because it is the beginning of their felicity
and the end of their sorrows. With this im-
pression, St. Bernard, tracing the portrait of a
faithful soul, concludes with this remark : “He
lives with patience. He dies with pleasure.”
Patience sustains him during life, which sepa-
rating him as it does from the God whom he
loves, cannot be otherwise than distasteful to
him. Death overwhelms him with joy, because
it unites him to the Object of his happiness,
and secures him the possession of it for ever.
This portrait of the just man was never more
literally verified than in our holy young Jesuit.
It is certain he was attached to nothing in this

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world, his treasure truly was in heaven ; there-
fore, life was more painful to him than death.
Nevertheless, however great his motives might
be for desiring death rather than life, he ex-
pected the former and supported the latter with
an equal tranquillity of soul; willing to re-
main and willing to depart as it might please
Almighty God, whose will regulated all his
desires. This was the true state of his soul, as
he acknowledged to one of our most spiritual
fathers, to whom he was in the habit of speak-
ing without reserve. “You are young,” said
this father to him,” and according to human
appearances, you have many years of life before
you; but if it should please God to abridge
their course, and send you an early summons,
what would you say ?” “ I should say that

God showed me great goodness,” replied Bereh-
mans, “in thus shortening the term of my
exile, by calling me to my true country.”
“What I” said one of his companions, who,
though nearly of his own age, was by no means
as indifferent upon the subject, “ what, would
you be content to die so young?” “What
matters it,” replied Berchmans, “whether we
die young or old, provided that by dying we
perform the will of God ? In fact, my dear
brother, would it not be a great happiness for
us to be removed from a world where we are

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constantly in danger of offending the God whom
we love, and to be placed in the happy home
where we shall be certain of never displeasing
Him ?” “What you say is all very good,”
observed his faithful friend; “the advantage
of dying young is very evident^ I allow, but to
enjoy this consolation, we must have deserved
it by a very fervent life, and who can flatter him-
self of this?” “ No one,” answered the servant
of God: “We must on our part labor with cour-
age, and then expect all from God, who is good
and faithful. His grace supports us, and His
mercy crowns us. I confide in the first to live
weH, and in the latter to die well.” His com-
panion wishing to press him still further upon
the subject, remarked, “ Now if it were neces-
sary to undertake the voyage of eternity imme-
diately, should you be willing to do so?”
“ Truly,” answered Berchmans ; “ if the choice
depended upon myself, I should be glad to make
the spiritual exercises by way of- preparation ;
but if our Lord decided otherwise, I am quite
ready to do His will ; and if at this moment that I
speak to you, He should demand my soul, I could
surrender it very willingly into His divine
hands.” These were the sentiments of the fol-
lower of “the Lamb,” who came into the
world not to do His own, but His Father’s will.
A remark somewhat similar to the above was

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made by him to the celebrated Father Strada,
who was both touched and edified by it. This
Jesuit (so well known for his History of the
Flemish War) being in Rome, chose our young
Fleming for his companion when visiting the
church of St. Mary Major, and perceiving that
the thought of death occupied the mind of his
young associate, he took the opportunity of
noticing the great happiness of religious, the
greater number of whom die with tranquillity
and content; “And to speak of those of the
society,” said Father Strada, M I have seen
many among them die in sentiments of most
sweet and holy confidence. Ah, may I, like
them, die the death of the just!” “You have
a right, my dear Reverend Father,” immediately
rejoined Berchmans, “ to desire the death of the
just, having led the life of one for so many
years; as for myself, who have not this advan-
tage, I must begin by desiring to live the life
of the just, that I may be able later to hope to
die like them.” Strada received this answer as
a caution sent him from Heaven ; and through
these expressions, so honorable to himself, and
at the same time humiliating to Berchmans, he
discerned a solid truth, which struôk his mind
and remained for ever engraven there. He ad-
mired the innocence and candor of the person
employed by Divine Providence to inspire Mm

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with sentiments of a more elevated sanctity ;
and afterwards effects proved that Berchmans
had not spoken as a man of this world. In
truth, his body only belonged to it; his heart
was already with his desires ; and all his desires
were in heaven with Jesus Christ, the only love
of his soul ; with St. Paul, he passionately de-
sired to be united with Jesus, so that we may
say, he languished rather than lived here below.
Our Lord had compassion upon the state of
violence to which these holy transports reduced
him. He heard his desires, and distinctly inti-
mated to him that He designed shortly to call
him to Himself. This occurred on the last day
of July, on which is celebrated the feast of St.
Ignatius, founder of the society. In the distri-
bution of suffrages for the ensuing month, this
sentence fell to Berchmans’ share, “Watch and
pray, for ye know not the hour when the Lord
will come.” These words, taken from the third
chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, struck him most
forcibly, and seemed to him to be a warning
from the Holy Ghost that his end was approach-
ing. He proceeded immediately to Father
Francis Piccolomini, his dear master, to com-
municate the happy news to him, and he also
mentioned it to his companions, so that it was
soon spread through the Roman College, and
caused many different impressions. Some

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looked upon the assertion of the holy young
man less as a prediction than as the expression
of his desires ; others feared it would prove to
be too true.

A short time sufficed to convince all of it»
reality, for scarcely had five days elapsed, be-
- fore he fell ill on the day dedicated to the feast
of our Lady ad Nives; so that the first notice
of his death seems to have been given by his
holy father St. Ignatius ; and the second, by our
Blessed Lady, his incomparable mother. His
malady began by diarrhoea, which he neglected,
as he generally did all his indispositions. So
little did he apprehend the consequences, that
he accompanied his associates to the country-
house, as usual, it being a recreation day. The
pleasure he felt in sharing their spiritual enter-
tainments made him almost forget his indispo-
sition ; and all idea of it seemed banished, when
after dinner he joined Father Octavius Loren-
zini, to whose wonderfel piety was added an
intimate acquaintance with the history of the
society. The hour they spent together seemed
scarcely longer than a moment to Berchmans,
who had been delighted by hearing this learned
father describe the birth and progress of the
society, with the lives of the first Jesuits who
so much honored it, and the zeal of those fer-
vent missionaries who had already carried the

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name of Jesus to the extremities of the world.
All that he heard from this father, distinguished
for talent and sanctity, filled with him joy, and
shed oyer his soul a holy unction, which continued
throughout that whole day. On the morrow
he was desired to go with a young man of his
own age, and be present at the disputations in
philosophy which were held in the Greek Col-
lege. A certain doctor, who had been invited
to open the session, having been from some
cause or other hindered from attending, Berch-
mans was so urgently pressed to supply his place,
that, notwithstanding his reiterated excuses,
the unanimous voice of the assembly over-
powered his modest diffidence, and obliged him
to open the argument, which he did with so
much grace, dignity, and modesty, that the
audience, charmed with seeing and hearing him,
suffered him to continue speaking a whole hour
without interruption. There can be no doubt
but this exertion must have contributed to over-
heat his blood, however great his moderation
in speaking may have been. Moreover, in order
to reach the scene of discussion in time, he was
obliged to take a long walk during the greatest
heat of the day; at all events, the following
night was a painful one; a fever, added to his
previous malady, allowed him no repose ; never-
theless, his courage led him to rise at the or-

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dinary hour ; he discharged all his duties, and
passed the morning without speaking of his
sufferings ; he feared to lose the merit of them
if disclosed before necessity compelled it, and
as yet that necessity did not appear sufficiently
pressing. It is the practice of the true servants
of a crucified Jesus, to conceal their crosses as
much as they can, lest the relief and compassion
caused by their exposure, should deprive them
of the hoijor and pleasure of enduring them.
It was in vain that our fervent invalid, (in con-
formity with these heroic sentiments,) struggled
against nature ; his illness became so evident,
that he could no longer conceal it, fearing, I
will not say the risk of life, which he cared
very little to preserve, but a failing in obe-
dience, which was far more precious to him
than life, the rule requiring that when the
Jesuits feel their health notably impaired, they
give information of it to proper authority. This
consideration induced Berchmans about mid-
day to seek the father-rector, and frankly ac-
knowledge his indisposition. There was no
need of his speaking for this purpose; the
superior saw it immediately in his pale and
worn countenance, and desired him to go with-
out delay to the infirmary. The true son of
obedience offered no reply, and making a pro-
found reverence, went straight from his supe-

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 159

rior to the infirmary, without so much as going
to his own room. Having informed the infir-
marian of his malady in as few words as possi-
ble, and being desired to go to bed, he imme-
diately complied, offering the sacrifice of his
life, if Almighty God should so ordain it. We
enter thus minutely into the details of a malady
which deprived us of this holy religious, with
the idea, that if any of the circumstances were
omitted the portrait offered to the imitation of
the youth of the society would be incomplete ;
and Berchmans was as perfect a model in sick-
ness as he had been in health.

It was on a Saturday afternoon that Berch-
mans took to his bed, in a profound calm of mind,
caused by his entire resignation to the divine
will : he expressed this to the infirmarian, who
said to him as soon as he entered the infirmary,
“ Well, brother Berchmans, what are we to do
with you?” “You will do just what you please,”
answered he ; “ and as for me, I hope to do what
our Lord pleases ; I am in his hands, and yours;
ready to obey Him, and to obey you as repre-
senting Him.”

He expressed himself in the same terms to
his master, of whom we have already spoken.
He was better skilled in the philosophy of Jesus
Christ, than in that of Aristotle, though he
had a particular talent of inspiring the former

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whilst he taught the latter. Berchmans had
been fortunate in falling under his care when he
left the noviciate; the two were strictly united
by the Holy Ghost in the sacred bands of reli-
gious friendship. “You see, I was not mis-
taken, my dear father,” exclaimed Berchmans,
“ when I told you that Providence had its own
design in sending my suffrage a few days ago :
it was not in vain that it cautioned me to watch
and pray, in expectation of our Lord’s coming.”
Piccolomini felt his heart pierced by these
words, and could only say in reply, that he
would go and beg Almighty God to cure him.
His pupil, however, only prayed for the accom-
plishment of the divine will, which thought
occupied him the whole night, during which he
never closed his eyes to sleep. He was con-
firmed in this holy state of abandonment by
the grace of communion, which the father-
rector, who visited him ig. the morning, could
not refuse to his devotion; but he would not
allow him to rise and prostrate himself upon
the ground, as he wished to do, in order to re-
ceive our Lord with more respect, though he
was permitted to kneel upon his bed. He re-
mained in this posture, filled with the most
humble confusion at receiving with so little re-
spect, as he thought, so great a Guest : he en-
deavored to repair this exterior irreverence, by

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMÀNS. 161

annihilating himself in most profound interior
homage.

After this holy action his deep recollection
of mind continued uninterrupted until the
arrival of the physician, who pronounced him
to be somewhat better; so that the fever either
was diminished, or that the presence of the
heavenly Physician had suspended its violence.
He remained tranquil throughout the day,
during which the infirmary was never without
some faithful friends, who anxiously came to
offer their services to the dear invalid. He
acknowledged and returned their friendship
with many assurances of lively gratitude ; but
he was far more anxious to cause them no pain,
than he was to relieve his own. He looked
upon the effects of sickness, and the remedies
to. be employed, as so many happy necessities
of mortifying self. He took the most bitter
draughts, as sp many precious drops from the
chalice of our Lord, without ever showing the
least reluctance. Once when a very nauseous
'medicine was presented to him, he begged a
father who was present to bless it ; and when
he h^d swallowed it, he desired the father to say
the graee after meals, as if he had just finished
a pleasant repast.

His remedies were useful only to his soul ;
the body was by no means relieved by them;

11

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his fever returned, and lie determined to confide
in spiritual remedies. On the eve of St. Law-
rence he asked the infirmarian if he might
hope for communion on the next day; and being
answered, that it was not usual in the college
to carry the Blessed Sacrament to the sick
excepting upon Sunday, without great necessity,
but that he could easily obtain that permission
for him if he asked it “No, no,” immediately
replied the humble Berchmans, “I am unworthy
of any particular privilege ; it is too much for
me to share in such as are common ; I desire no
others.” This answer edified all who heard it ;
and whilst it increased the esteem in which he
was already held, it redoubled their dread and
unwillingness to lose him. Up to this time
their apprehensions had been but light, because
his illness did not appear to be of a serious
nature ; but on the following Tuesday alarm
was excited by the extreme debility to which
he was reduced, and which required the frequent
help of stimulating cordials to prevent him from
fainting away. On the evening of that day,
when every one excepting the rector had left
the infirmary, he, perceiving that danger of
death was threatening, like a good father, spoke
thus to Berchmans : “ If it should please our Lord
to call you to Himself, my dear brother, have
you any dread, or is there anything that troubles

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you, that you could wish to settle before you
quit this world?” “Nothing whatever,” replied
Berchmans, with most holy confidence ; “ I have
to deal with too good à God to be afraid of
appearing in His sight; yet, if anything at this
moment were capable of causing me uneasiness,
it is the fear lest the Flemish province of the
society, seeing both my companion and myself
die thus early, might Be unwilling to send any
more young Jesuits here ; so that on this account
the international communication, so well calcu-
lated to unite the different parts of the society,
might be interrupted in consequence of my
death. But the God of charity, who animates
this great body, and who unites all its members
in Jesus Christ, knows well what He does ; He
is the Master, and I am His most humble servant,
devoted only to His will. If He desires my
death, I am here, quite ready, for such also is
my desire ; and if the decision of my destiny de-
pended upon myself, I should not hesitate a single
moment.” His superior was exceedingly con-
soled at finding him in such holy dispositions ;
but at the same time he was inexpressibly
grieved by the thought, that the college was so
soon to lose such a perfect model of perfection.
His increasing weakness made the superior
fear that something sudden might occur; he
therefore ordered the infirmarian to keep watch

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by his bed-side, and observe any change that
should take place.

John Baptist Ballerati, the infirmarian, was
a very skilful man ; but his indefatigable charity
and unalterable meekness (both of which ex-
ceeded even his ability) made him particularly
well suited to his office. Perceiving that his
dear invalid had little or no chance of sleep,
he did his best to entertain him with discourses
upon heaven ; and his debility still increasing-,
he said, “ I find you very weak, my dear bro-
ther, should you not like to fortify yourself by
holy communion to-morrow?” “By way of
viaticum ?” observed Berchmans. “ I mean it
in that sense,” replied Ballerati ; “ for it seems
to me you are soon to undertake the grand
voyage.” At these words Berchmans’ strength
seemed to be restored ; and throwing himself
on the breast of the infirmarian, he exclaimed,
tl 0 happy, 0 delightful news! my dear brother ;
the sweetest and most consoling I have ever
had!’” Poor Ballerati was so much affected,
that he could only answer by his tears. “ Why
do you weep?” continued Berchmans. “You
love me; and do you regret my happiness?”
Then taking the crucifix in his hands, he said,
with a look of tender devotion and lively confi-
dence, “ 0 my God, Thou knowest I have loved
nothing, desired nothing, possessed nothing in

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this world, but Thee : and thanks to Thy infinite
mercy, at this moment I only love and desire to
possess Thee. To Thee only I have recourse ;
in Thee I place all my confidence. 0 Thou
God of my heart, my merciful Jesus, forsake
me not.” Whilst he was making this amorous
prayer, the infirmarian was absorbed in grief,
sighing and begging not to be forgotten when
he should enjoy the presence of the One Su-
preme Master; but perceiving that this name
only revived the pious efforts of the invalid
already nearly exhausted, he desired him to
moderate his transports, and try to take a
little rest. He immediately obeyed, prefer-
ring to deprive himself of his sweet entertain-
ment with his Saviour, than to lose the merit
of obedience: therefore, instead of conversing
with Jesus, he begged the infirmarian to take
the trouble of writing his last wishes, which he
dictated in the following terms :

“ I most humbly ask pardon of my most kind
and most honored Father, the Reverend Father
Mutio Yittelleschi, general of the society; pro-
testing that my heart is penetrated wkh grief,
at having been his so unworthy son. I thank
this dear society, my good Mother, for its ma-
ternal care of me, who have deserved so little.
I offer my very humble thanks to the Rever-
end Father-rector : to my masters, to the bro-

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ther infirmarians, and generally, to every o$e
of the house ; from all I have received so much
friendship, though I have, only given trouble
during the little illness it has pleased our Lord
to send me. I beg the Reverend Father-rector
will allow me to receive the holy viaticum on
the ground, or, at least, upon a mattress: I
hope this great consolation from his goodness ;
and also, that he will allow all the young
Jesuits, my dear brothers, to be present at my
last communion, that they may help me to
make it well, supplying for my imperfect dis-
positions by the fervor of their prayers. It is
my wish to embrace them all ; and if he will
allow one of them to do it for me, it is a favor
for which I shall feel eternally grateful to him.
In fine, the last request which I venture to
make of him, and which will crown all the
rest, is that I may die clothed in the habit of
the society.”

The father-rector fortunately entered the
room at the very moment the infirmarian was
going to carry him this memorial ; having read
it he immediately granted every request, and
promised the dear invalid to do everything in
his power that should contribute to the conso-
lation of his soul. Berchmans proposed to
make a general confession of his whole life to
him ; which however the father did not think

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proper to allow, being well aware of his an-
gelical purity, and the extreme exactness with
which his ordinary confessions were made ; he
desired him, therefore, to be content with de-
claring his faults, in the same manner that fie
did every week. He did so in few words, but
with extraordinary contrition; offering, as a
sacrifice of obedience, the desire which he had
to detail, at the moment he was about to close
his life, all the faults which he had committed
during it. This being done, he thought of
nothing else than to dispose himself to receive
the holy viaticum. All the young Jesuits were
ordered to repair to the infirmary when it was
to be administered to him. They were sum-
moned to it in the morning by the brothers who
had charge of awakening them at the hour of
rising. From all parts of the house sighs and
lamentations were heard ; each one hastened to
the church, where the priest had already arrived
to convey the Blessed Sacrament ; and eveiy-
where might be heard these and similar excla-
mations : “ O God, what a misfortune ! What
a loss to the college! O this dear brother!
what a saint we lose !”

In the midst of this universal grief and con-
sternation, caused by the approaching death of
Berchmans, he alone was calm, and joyfully
awaiting the coming of his Saviour, as he ac-

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knowledged to a pious and learned father, who
approaching to his bedside asked him in a
whisper, whether he had any trouble of con-
science. “None whatever, thanks to the good-
ness of our Lord,” answered he ; “ I am con-
tent ; and by His grace I enjoy a peace which
the whole world would be unable to give me.”
In compliance with his request a mattress was
spread upon the floor, and he was placed upon
it, clothed in that dear habit which he had so
often kissed. He was in this hun^ble and de-
vout position, his countenance serene, his eyes
raised towards heaven, and his heart inflamed
with Divine love, when the father-rector brought
in the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by a
great number of Jesuits, all bathed in tears.
No sooner did he perceive our amiable Saviour
(in whom alone he placed all his hopes) than
his strength seemed to revive by the ardor of
his love ; he arose anà knelt upon his mattress ;
aqd that he might be able to maintain this pos-
ture throughout the holy ceremony, he accepted
the kind offers of two of his young brothers,
to support him on each side. In this state,
bare-headed, his whole body bending forwards,
he profoundly adored Him whom the priest
held in his hands before him ; and having rè-
cited the Confiteor, he added these holy protes-
tations, in as loud a voice as he could command :

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“ I protest, with all my heart, that I have here
present my Lord Jesus Christ, true Son of God
the Father Almighty, and of the Blessed Vir-
gin Mary, God and Man : I also protest that I
will live and die a true child of the Catholic,
Apostolic, and Roman Church, in whose bosom
I have received the inestimable grace of spiri-
tual regeneration ; and as I have the honor of
belonging in this quality to the most sacred
Virgin and to the Society of Jesus, I protest in
the presence of my Lord and my God, who
sees the sincerity of my soul, that I am resolved
to have the heart and feelings of a son to the
last moment of my life.” He pronounced these
words with a devotion that would have inspired
the most obdurate, and have moved the most
insensible; after which he received with the
respect and love of a seraph, the adorable body
of Jesus Christ, from the hands of the father-
rector, whose tears fell fast as he recited the
sacred words.

This angel of the earth having received the
God of heaven, remained in most profound re-
collection with his head bowed down and his
arms crossed upon his breast ; being confounded
at receiving in a house of clay Him who was
already opening the gates of the eternal palace
to him. In this sort of ecstacy, where his
soul was fortified, his body became so much

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weakened, that it was judged expedient not to
defer extreme unction, which he wished to re-
ceive immediately. To dispose himself with
more respect and modesty, he had taken the
precaution the night before to have his feet
washed. The rector, who had undertaken to
perform the religious ceremony, was so much
overcome as to be scarcely able to pronounce
the prayers ; the assistants penetrated with grief,
could not answer. Berchmans, who had been
replaced on his mattress, made the responses
himself, with great piety and presence of mind,
as tranquil, and considering the sacrament as
attentively, as if he had not been the sick per-
son, feeling happy in being thus fortified by the
Church against the powers of darkness. Being
thus purified before God of any remaining stains,
he desired the satisfaction of being confounded
at his faults in the sight of men ; for this pur-
pose he obtained the father-rector’s permission
to make a public confession, and beg pardon of
his dear brothers. And as he had, in his own
humble opinion often scandalized them in his
life-time, he had a wish in death to say some-
thing that might perhaps edify them. Never
theless, he distrusted his own judgment upon
the point ; and however holy his intention might
be, he feared lest some secret pride might insin-
uate itself and corrupt the action ; he found no

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better preservation against this dangerous poi-
son, than to disclose his idea to his superior, and
blindly to submit to his decision.

The father, understanding what our Lord, and
the interests of His glory, inspired Berchmans
to do, and thinking it, moreover, likely to pro-
duce great spiritual profit, undertook to deliver
his sentiments for him ; and speaking in a very
audible and impressive tone, he informed them
that their dying companion, penetrated by the
many proofs of kindness they had shown him,
and filled with gratitude for their friendship,
wished at this last hour to give them a mark
of his affection and confidence, by assuring
them, that he felt at that moment filled with
sensible consolation, in consequence of the ines-
timable grace which our Lord had granted him,
of never having committed any deliberate venial
sin from the time he entered the society, nor
with having voluntarily violated any one of his
rules, or transgressed the least order of a supe-
rior. This acknowledgment, drawn from him
by a pure desire of glorifying God, and of edify-
ing and encouraging his brothers to bear cour-
ageously the inconveniences of a pure, regular,
and fervent life ; this acknowledgment, I repeat,
redoubled both the esteem in which he was
held, and the regret caused by his approaching
death in the flower of his age. Most of the

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assistants were convinced by the very circum-
stance of this declaration, that his end was near ;
being persuaded that humility, which was so
dear to him, and which had kept his mouth so
constantly closed, would not have opened it
then to declare his favors if he had not been
pretty certain that they were on the point of
being veiled by the cloud of death. Hence,
they concluded that this holy brother would
shortly die; and by permission of the rector
they all embraced him with most tender and
religious friendship, each one confidently charg-
ing him with this spiritual commission for the
next life, and asking of him some advice for
this.

Amongst all his masters, the one who held
the first place in his heart was the last to em-
brace him ; a dread of showing too much sensi-
bility had hitherto prevented this manifestation
of tenderness. The grateful disciple, stretching
out his hands to him, said, “ I have well remem-
bered you, my dear father : the note which I
dictated in the night must be the faithful pledge
of my sincere gratitude.” Piccolomini, throw-
ing himself upon his knees f begged pardon for
not having done more to serve him. The hum-
ble Berchmans, confused at seeing his master, a
priest of Jesus Christ, in such a posture, showed
so much distress, that he obliged his master to

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rise, promising that if he would do him that
favor, he would endeavor to obtain other fa-
vors for him, if he should be so happy as to
have any power in heaven. “ O then, my dear
brother,” said Piccolomini, “ask for me a great
spirit of prayer as soon as you enjoy the sight of
Almighty God !” The disciple sighed for nothing
more than the celestial country: he counted
every moment of his exile. Expressing to this
father the desire which he had to flee and be at
rest, “ Father-rector struggles for me, as Jacob
did,” said he, with a sort of prophetic sight.
Nothing was more true; for at the very mo-
ment that the invalid announced this spiritual
conflict of his superior with heaven, he was
actually at the altar celebrating mass, and most
earnestly entreating Almighty God not to de-
prive the house of so great an example of vir-
tue. “ However,” continued Berchmans, “ it is in
vain ; were he to redouble his prayers to obtain
my cure, he would not succeed ; my hour is
come.” This opinion was confirmed by Angelo
Bagnarea, one of the most able physicians of his
time, who having visited Berchmans, and seeing
all the college assembled round him, anxiously
waiting for his decision upon the case, thus ad-
dressed them: “ The malady of this young reli-
gious is beyond the reach of our art. My fa-
thers, Heaven re-demands this angel, which it

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only lent you. I had the honor of seeing
Blessed Aloysius Gonzaga in a similar state :
behold here his true copy: this young man
seems to have resembled him in his innocence
and purity of life; no wonder then that he
should be like to him in death. In real truth,
I consider you happy in having so many young
persons so detached from life, and so willing to
die in the flower of their age ; whilst in most
other places, we are obliged in a manner, to
drag even the oldest to the gates of death,” He
uttered these words with a profound sigh, much
moved and edified by what he had just wit-
nessed.

The general of the society was not less so, in
the visit which he made to his dear dying son.
The innocent young man, delighted at seeing
his good father, told him, with most tender re-
spect, that he had much wished to see him, that
he might have the consolation of returning
thanks for all his paternal care of him, to en-
treat of him the forgiveness of his faults, and *
to beg his benediction. “ I have always loved
you, my dear brother,” said the general to him,
“with great affection; from the moment of
your arrival here, you found a place in my
heart, where you have ever since been con-
stantly cherished ; and I had hoped, at a later
period, to have given further proof of my affec-

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 175

tion. Our divine Lord, however, is going to
give you much stronger proofs of His. As for
my forgiveness, I must own there is no cause
that can require it; but for my blessing, I give
it you with all my heart:” and having made
the sign of the cross over him, the father-gene-
ral withdrew, exceedingly consoled at seeing
one of his most cherished children dying in
such holy dispositions.

There was scarcely any one in the college, or
in the other houses of the society in Rome, who
did not wish to be present at the consoling
spectacle of his happy and edifying death ; and
no one left him without feeling convinced of
this important truth, that the true means of
dying with content is to please and love God
during life.

There was a holy eagerness to watch by his
bedside. Those whom the superior appointed
to this duty looked upon themselves as singu-
larly favored; and in reality the favor was
sterile in regard to none of them. The ex-
hausted patient found no repose but in his en-
tertainments with God ; these caused him no
effort ; he was constantly heard sighing towards
the Beloved of his soul, thanking Him for the
ineffable grace of his vocation; nevertheless,
he always conversed very willingly with all
who seemed to wish it, never losing his accus-

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tomed sweetness and civility. These two vir-
tues accompanied him even unto the end. One
of his companions, who was sitting by him,
perceiving his extreme and increasing weak-
ness, gave him at frequent intervals a spoonful
of liqueur which was rather of high price;
this kind of profusion pained the faithful imi-
tator of poverty, and was a cause of scruple to
him. “ My sickness,” said he, “ will cost dear
to the society.” By way of calming his un-
easiness, he was answered that the charity of
the society resembled that of a mother for her
children. “ Ah !” exclaimed Berchmans, “ I
had no need of this experience to be assured of
its goodness towards me ; I have had as many
proofs of it as I have had the happiness of
living moments amongst its members.”

Another asking him whether he would like
to hear a little reading, he answered, u I should
be very glad of it ; I could willingly listen to
the chapter which relates to the death of Blessed
Aloysius.” It was read immediately, and when
. they reached that part where the historian tells
us that the tediousness of his long and painful
malady never provoked the slightest symptom
of impatience, Berchmans, casting an amorous
look upon the image of his crucified Saviour,
exclaimed with a sentiment of filial fear, “My
Saviour and my God,' if I have unknowingly
12

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committed any fault in this respect, I most
humbly implore Thy pardon.” Then hearing,
a little further on, that when his approaching
death was announced to St. Aloysius, he began
in a transport of holy joy to sing the Te Deum,
his faithful imitator strove to collect his little
remnant of strength, and intoned it likewise,
entreating the assistants to unite their voices,
the better to sustain his own. He was evidently
now advancing towards his end. The infir-
marian, attentive to every movement or altera-
tion, having felt his pulse, said without any
fear of alarming him, “We are going, Brother
Berchmans, we are going 1” The saintly invalid
at this good news took up his crucifix and in-
tertwining his rosary around it, and adding to
these two the book of the rules, (which he had
always so well loved,) casting his eyes tenderly
upoQ them, he said, “ These are what I hold
most dear in this world, with them I am ready
to die.” Admirable words I which ought never
to be effaced from the memory of religious per-
sons, since they teach them th$t all their per-
fection in life, and all their consolation in death,
consists in the love of Jesus crucified, in devo-
tion to our Blessed *Lady, and in the exact
observance of rules. He then placed these
three objects upon his breast, that he might
make them, (according to the expression of

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scripture,) “the buckler of his heart,” which
should be impenetrable to the attacks of his
enemies, against whom he opposed the assist-
ance of his heavenly protectors. Havmg done
this, he caused to be read over to him the
names of all his monthly patrons, together with
the sentences of all his suffrages, which he had
carefully registered, that he might always be
armed with the divine word, in imitation of our
Saviour, and thereby repel and confound the
tempter. He was particularly pleased at having
the Gradual Psalms read often to him, drawing
from them great support during his illness, as
he had previously found much comfort and in-
struction in them whilst in health. The sacred
words were to him like spiritual manna, in
which this true Israelite found, as it were, a
most delicious flavor. To suggest to him a
word only from the sacred writings, was enough
to fill his soul with divine unction.

About four o’clock in the morning of Thurs-
day, which was the eve of his death, the father-
rector (who desired exceedingly not to lose
him) came to visit him ; and to inspire him with
sentiments of confidence, recited one of the
responsaries in the office of St. Lawrence, which
he had just been saying ; it ran in these terms :
“Fear nothing, my son, for I am with thee,
saith the Lord ; if thou passest through fire, its

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS. 179

flames shall not hurt thee, neither shalt thou
feel it ; I will deliver thee from the hands of
the wicked, and from the might of thy most
powerful enemies, although thou wert already
in their hands.” “I hope, my dear brother,”
continued the father, “that this promise will
be accomplished in you.” “I trust it will,
Reverend Father ; and I hope it, through the
merits of our Blessed Lady,” rejoined Berch-
mans. “ Yes, my most holy mother,” said he,
in a very tender yet distinct voice, when he
thought he was alone in the room, “ you have
ever been my hope, and will continue such
unto the end ; you will not expel me from your
maternal bosom, in which I have rested through-
out life, like a child.” He was in these amorous
colloquies, when Father De Lugo came to
recommend to his prayers some very important
affair, which was then requiring his attention ;
for, able theologian as this father was, he relied
less upon his own science than upon the prayers
and merits of the innocent ^oung man.

Scarcely had^he left the infirmary, than they
were obliged to introduce a young nobleman
of the highest distinction, who was drawn to
the college by hearing of the extremity to which
Berchmans was reduced. He was son of the
Duke of Acquasparta, called Angelo Celci,
still more illustrious for piety than for nobility

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of descent. He had been the constant admirer
of Berchmans* angelical modesty, no less than
his extraordinary regularity: that he might
be edified by both, he had often joined the
young students in their recreation hours ; and
it was his delight to observe Berchmans (whom
he called his little saint) as recollected whilst
conversing with his companions, as if he were
conversing with God. Nor was this young
nobleman less edified at seeing such a number
of young Jesuits, when the first sound of the
clock announced the end of recreation, retire
from their amusements, as profoundly recollected
as if they had but just quitted their meditation.
All this appeared so admirable, that he felt
anxious to know what kind of death was reserved
for young men who lived like angels. In the
one he was just come to visit, he saw so sweet
and tranquil an air, lie heard him speak of this
life with such perfect detachment, and of the
next with such transports of joy, that he looked
upon him more as an angel than a mortal man ;
and having earnestly recommended himself to
his prayers, he withdrew, fully persuaded of
the happiness those enjoy in death, and even
before death, who renounce all things for the
love of Jesus Christ.

Towards evening the physicians observed a
debility more than could be accounted for by

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181

the mere force of his fever ; but reasoning only
upon their own principles, they did not think
his malady beyond cure. Berchmans having
listened to them some time, said, “ Gentlemen,
you give yourself too much trouble; my com-
plaint cannot be cured ; the great Master calls
me.” “And where does He call you?” asked
one of them. “To heaven, Sir, to heaven,”
replied the dying saint. They looked upon
this word as an oracle ; and unanimously agreed,
that there are maladies which completely baffle
the science of medicine, in which physicians
and invalids must equally adore the Hand that
sends them. Berchmans’ malady was unques-
tionably of this description ; consequently they
had only to abandon him to that superior Provi-
dence which ruled him.

This determination was highly satisfactory to
the poor patient; exhausted as he was by so
many visits, he only desired to repose in the
bosom of his Saviour, until the final moment
should release him from his earthly bonds.
However, he sacrificed this desire to the duty
of charity ; for understanding that some Jesuits
were at the infirmary door, wishing to take a
last farewell of him, he begged they might be
permitted to enter, one by one ; recommending
to them all, (when similarity of age authorized
familiar confidence,) what he himself had always

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had so much at heart, viz., devotion to our
Blessed Lady, love of prayer, and the exact
observance of rules. To this general advice he
added some more particular, and so well fitted to
the disposition of each one’s soul at the time, that
they felt convinced he must have been inspired
by Heaven; and in truth, the extraordinary
effects produced by his words in the hearts of
those to whom they were addressed, left no
room to doubt of such being the case. Modest
and reserved as he was, he spoke with a kind
of authority, with which no doubt Almighty
God was pleased to invest him, in order that
his words might make due impression upon all
hearts, and lead the hearers to receive and ac-
complish the divine will thus intimated to them.
Animated then by this supernatural spirit, which
gave him a respectful liberty, he excited the
elder fathers to seek always the glory of Jesus
and of His holy mother. He exhorted Father
Andrew Eudemon, a very able controversialist,
to continue writing upon heresies, particularly
that of Calvin ; deploring most bitterly the
ravages occasioned by it in the most flourish-
ing kingdom of Christendom. To Father Alex-
ander Rocca, a German Jesuit, he said, “I •
beseech you to convey into your country an
antidote against the venom of Lutheranism.”

He most earnestly entreated Father Joseph

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183

Copponi (one of the most famous preachers of
his time) to consecrate his eloquence to the
defence of the Immaculate Conception of our
Blessed Lady: in the like manner he urged
Father John Baptist Ferrari to continue to
employ his pen, as he did most admirably, in
eulogizing the saints by whom God has been
most honored in the society. Every body
quitted him as much penetrated by his words,
as if an angel immediately sent by God had
spoken to them. No one, however, was so
much touched by his words as a young Hun-
garian, whose extraordinary piety and confi-
dence had merited his esteem. Of these two it
might be said, that the grace of Jesus Christ
had bound their hearts in one and the same
knot ; both being animated by the same zeal
and sanctity. When all the rest had with-
drawn, Berchmans retained this tender friend,
that they might once again speak heart to heart ;
and embracing him affectionately, said to him,
“ It is now in reality, my dear brother, that I
bid you a last adieu ; I speak to you now for
the last time in this life ; I am dying, but my
friendship for you will never die ; as I have
loved you on earth, so shall I continue to love
you in heaven.” The poor young man, whose
heart was pierced with a most lively grief, was
for sometime unable to answer excepting by his

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tears ; but exerting himself by a strong effort,
he said to Berchmans, “ Obtain for me of our
Blessed Lady the graces which you judge ne-
cessary for me ; particularly that I may live
and die a true child of St. Ignatius.” The
promise being given, the dear dying saint con-
soled him, and gave him every hope of their
being one day re-united in heavenly friendship.

Although the superior was fully persuaded
of the humble dispositions of the servant of
God, from the knowledge which he had of his
interior, ho was fearful lest the marks of esteem
testified by the whole Boman College might
prejudice his humility, or lessen his virtue, so
necessary at this momentous passage ; he fa-
thomed his heart once more, to be satisfied on
the point, and was exceedingly consoled to find
therein a spirit of most perfect self-contempt,
which rendered him inaccessible to vain-glory ;
and also a faith so lively, and a confidence so
humble, as completely to arm him against the
attacks of the spiritual enemy. Indeed this
spiritual armor became necessary to him, ac-
cording to his own prediction ; for in the early
part of the last night of his existence, he re-
peatedly told two or three of his friends, parti-
cularly his dear master, that he should have to
sustain some dreadful combats. To prepare
himself for them, he begged.the fathers present

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185

to recite the prayers of the Church; and al-
though the case did not then appear urgent,
they complied with his request in order to
satisfy him. On reaching that part of the lita-
nies where the holy confessors are named, he
begged them to include the saints of the society.
As soon as this was finished, he himself began
to sing the Aye Maris Stella ; and passing on-
wards to these .tender words, 44 Show thyself a
Mother,” he made a considerable pause, in
order to enjoy at • leisure the sweetness of the
expression. His countryman, Father Aligante,
here took occasion to excite him to love our
Blessed Lady, remarking, that having loved
her during life, he no doubt loved her still
more in death. 44 1 dare not flatter myself,” re-
plied the humble young man, “that I have
loved her well, but I have wished to do so ; and
I hope that her maternal goodness will conde-
scend to love me in my present extremity.”
“Is it not true,” continued the father, “that if
you had a thousand hearts, you would conse-
crate them all to her love?” “Yes, indeed,”
answered he, 44 a thousand hearts would not be
too much to devote to her.” 44 She is your
dear mother; you are her dear child,” resumed
the Jesuit; “you are now going to love each
other with an eternal love.”

These conversations were too holy and too

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consoling not to be disturbed by the enemy of
, all good. It is not known of what nature the
temptations were with which he assaulted the
innocent young man ; but their violence was
very evident, from the alarm and agitation
which they caused; for Berchmans, after ap-
pearing to doze for a minute or two, surprised
those who* were with him, by suddenly starting,
with an inflamed countenance, his eyes raised
towards heaven, his lips trembling, and crying
out most pitiably with a loud voice, “ I will
not consent, no, my God, never will I offend
Thee. 0 holy Mother, do not permit me to
displease your dear Son ; I prefer a thousand
deaths.” He repeated these words several
times, always with fresh ardor. His cries were
heard in the adjoining chambers; every one
hastened to him, and approaching his bed,
compassionated the doleful state to which Pro-
vidence (ever adorable in its dispensations)
• abandoned this innocent victim, in order, no
doubt, to purify him still more and more. All
present immediately had recourse to prayer ;
and Berchmans, taking the crucifix in his
hands, together with his beads, reliquary, and
book of the rules, exclaimed, “This is my
armor; with these I am secure of victory I”
In effect, his alarm was suddenly dissipated;
his countenance regained its usual serenity, and

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 187

he had no other feeling than of contempt for
the enemy that had assaulted him. He was,
however, most diligent in devoting to prayer
the little remnant of his life ; in order that he
might secure the last graces, which he knew
were to decide his eternity, he affectionately
placed his rosary around his neck, as the pre-
cious mark of filial devotion to the Blessed
Virgin ; he read with singular tenderness the
formulary of his vows, that he might renew to
Jesus Christ the entire sacrifice of himself.
The zealous missionary, who had the charge of
public catechetical instruction, standing by his
bedside, recited the Litanies ; when he came to
these words, 44 Lamb of God, that takest away
the sins of the world, pardon him,” the servant
of God was evidently much affected by them,
begging the father to pause a little, that he
might reiterate this tender sentiment. More
than thirty times did he repeat, with most
lively affection, 44 Jesus, Lamb of God, that
takest away the sins of the world, pardon me.”
His superior finding him in these humble and
penitent dispositions, exhorted him to continue
so unto the end, and again gave him the last
absolution. After this Berchmans lost his
speech, without however losing either his pres-
ence of mind or his constant application to
Jesus crucified, whose image was continually

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before bis eyes. Under his inability to speak,
he answered by signs to all suggested acts of
piety ; his looks amply supplied the place of
words, and expressed his desires; for, in fact,
he had no other desire than to resign his soul
into the hands of Jesus Christ.

In the state to which he was reduced, his
sweetest consolation was to keep his sight
incessantly fixed upon the three objects of his
love and hope, of which we have already
spoken. That he might consider them with
more facility, he placed them against his knees,
which he had raised as well as he could for
this purpose. The whole community, when
beholding him, felt nothing of the horrors of
an approaching death; all were delighted by
the sight of him : the only circumstance which
gave pain to some of them, was the appearance
that one of his predictions would not be veri-
fied, for he had declared that he should die in
the act of speaking. After four hours of trial,
God vouchsafed to console them by loosening
the tongue of His faithful servant, that he might
be able to pronounce His holy name. He re-
peated several times the name of Jesus; this
sweet name was like honey to his mouth, and
carried calm and comfort to his heart ; and now
he was not disturbed by any further bitterness,
notwithstanding the fresh efforts of the devil to

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189

shake his constancy; our Lord probably so
permitting this, in order to complete or embellish
the crown of this holy young man. However,
the solidity of his joy was in no ways moved ;
nor was the grace of innocence (the true foun-
dation of his holy joy) in the least degree im-
paired. A sort of reflection upon the past,
which should only have been consolatory to
him, seemed to give him some uneasiness: it
related to that young Jesuit spoken of in the
second book, whose staggering vocation had
been upheld and confirmed through Berchmans’
intervention. We know not what the enemy
of our peace may have suggested to his mind,
as having been defective in this action, which
had sprung from the purest motive of charity ;
but the trouble was of short duration : a ray of
heavenly light, which the Sun of Justice shed
upon his soul, dispersed the cloud, and re-
established his usual serenity.

Berchmans, feeling that his last hour was
come, would be obedient eyen unto death ; he
therefore sent word to the father-rector that he
was going. The superior, who treated this
privileged soul in a manner very different to
that in which he would have dealt with ordinary
persoDs, had desired him not to depart this
life without summoning him to his bedside,
that he might be there to receive his last sigh.

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This sort of spiritual conduct may perhaps
appear presumptuous or ridiculous to the false
prudence of the present age, but our Lord, who
abhors this prudence as much as He loves
evangelical simplicity, was pleased to bless this
obedience of His servant, by enabling him to
fulfil a promise which had been made only
with the intention of pleasing Him, and in a
spirit of blind submission. No sooner did the
superior enter his room, than a spiritual joy
filled the hearts of both ; the obedient dying son
was delighted to have kept his word, given to
his good father, whilst on his part, this tender
father was consoled by witnessing the saintly
death of his dear child in Jesus Christ, who
was endeavoring to surrender his soul to God
whilst in the actual exercise of most heroic
virtues. He redoubled the fervor of his love,
he sought new strength by imploring the assist-
ance of the saints, particularly of his monthly
patrons, whose litanies he had composed,
and which he begged might be recited to him :
to these were added, in compliance with his
request, the Litany of our Blessed Lady. He
answered to all with tender devotion, although
pronunciation was difficult to him. He showed
extreme pleasure at hearing the praises of the
Blessed Virgin, as they are expressed in
her Litany, but these two titles, “Virgin of

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191

virgins,” and “ Mother most chaste,” had singu-
lar charms for him ; his whole countenance
beaming with delight as he cast his tender
looks upon the picture of this Queen of Angels,
whenever she was named. In fine, everything
in him denoted his devotion towards this
most pure Virgin, and the love he had for this
her favorite virtue. His agony, though long,
had nothing distressing or frightful in it;
every moment of it was consecrated by the
most holy exercises of religion ; he made acts
of continual homage, thanksgiving, and love
towards Jesus crucified, from whose image
he never withdrew his eyes; of confidence in
our Blessed Lady, whose beads he held clasped
in his dying fingers ; of gratitude towards St.
Ignatius, esteeming himself happy to die his
son, and whose rules he kissed a thousand
times, declaring that his consolation in death
sprung from fidelity in observing them during
life. It was in these acts that the faithful ser-
vant of God closed his life, and in the manner
he had foretold, viz., in the act of speaking;
and the last words he pronounced were the
holy names of Jesus and Mary: no sooner had
he uttered them, than he surrendered his pre-
cious soul into the hands of his Lord. This
happened on the 13th of August, between eight
and nine o’clock on Friday morning,, the day

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dedicated to the memory of Jesus crucified,
whom he had so tenderly loved, and two days
before the glorious Assumption of our Blessed
Lady, so that on that day he was in heaven to
witness her triumphant festival : it was, I say,
under these happy circumstances that John
Berchmans died, at the age of twenty -two years
and some months, as full of grace and merit as
one could be who had grown old in the long
and constant exercise of most heroic virtue.

Grace and nature seemed to concur in the
design of constituting Berchmans one of the
most perfect models that could be presented to
youthful imitation. His person was well pro-
portioned ; his countenance cheerful and agreea-*
ble : his eyes lively ; his complexion and hair
fair. These natural graces were enhanced by
his surpassing modesty, which gained for him
the name of “Angel.” Animation was' not
wanting to him; but it was of a sweet and
tranquil nature. His sanguine temperament
would no doubt have induced a strong inclina-
tion to pleasure, if he had not subdued it in
early life by the exercise of strict and constant
mortification, which, in fact, was become a
second nature to him. His constitution was
naturally good ; but he ruined it in a few years
by his austerities and by his incessant applica-
tion.

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It must be remarked, that his attention to
the presence of God, and his desires to please
Him, did not lead him to neglect the duties of
charity and civility towards his fellow- creatures :
the more he was interiorly united with God, the
more eager he was to serve everybody; and
his recollection of mind, however profound,
never interfered with his benevolent inclina-
tions. This happy alliance was very apparent
in his countenance, which reflected, like a faith-
ful mirror, the admirable virtues of his soul ;
insomuch, that we may say of this Son of Mary,
what St. Ambrose said of Mary herself, that
his exterior was the true portraiture of his
interior, and that through the features of the
former might be traced the sanctity of the lat-
ter. This was the universal opinion, in the
Roman College, of John Berchmans during his
life, an opinion which much increased after his
death.

No sooner had the tolling bell announced his
decease, than crowds flocked to the infirmary,
all equally moved at the great loss which the
society had sustained by the death of so holy a
young man. The old as well as young were
anxious to show him the same marks of esteem,
which are usually awarded to great saints only.
They respectfully kissed his hands, bathing
them at the same time with their te£rs, earn-
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estly begging some little memorials of him to
keep as relics.

During the last three days of his life his room
had been completely stripped ; the poor pictures,
before wh;ch he had prayed and studied, and
the instruments of his pious austerities, were
objects of universal desire. A kind of spiritual
strife arose among the most distinguished fa-
thers of the college for the possession of his
beads, and the little book in which he had in-
scribed the names of his monthly patrons. The
feet of the pious deceased were beseiged by a
troop of affectionate friends, particularly of
young Jesuits, who spent their time in exercis-
ing towards him the duties of most tender piety.
The confusion in the classes was no less than in
the house : as soon as it became known that
Berchmans had expired, masters and scholars
were equally afflicted; nothing was observed
but sighs, tears, and groans. The masters were
doubly grieved ; in the first place, for their own
loss ; and in the second, because they consid-
ered it a misfortune, not to have witnessed the
edifying spectacle of his death : they found no
other consolation in their distress, than by
changing their lessons into an eulogistic dis-
course upon him, who was the subject of their
mutual regret: masters and scholars mingling
their tears, related what each had seen and

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known of him ; and this conversation enkindled
in all hearts such a lively ardor, to go immedi-
ately and honor the holy young man, that it was
with great difficulty they could be restrained
from rushing in a body to the infirmary for this
purpose : nothing, in fact, could have withheld
them, but the promise of allowing them this
satisfaction before his burial ; their great num-
bers, however, amounting to nearly two thous-
and, scarcely permitted this. In a few hours’
time the news was spread all over Rome, that a
young man, of most eminent sanctity, was just
dead in the Jesuits’ College: the whole city was
filled with regret: a concourse of persons, most
distinguished foi rank and talent, hastened to
the college, that they might console the fathers ;
and at the same time express their own regret,
that the death of the servant of God had occurred
before they were even apprised of his illness.
Amongst the prelates who honored him with
their esteem, Cardinal Bellarmine was pre-
eminent : he expatiated upon the merits of the
blessed deceased in a manner which clearly
showed the high opinion he had of him. The
fame of his virtues drew immense crowds to the
Jesuits’ church; so that fearing an indiscreet
devotion, it was judged advisable to keep the
doors closed until the commencement of the
office-for the dead. No sooner were they opened,

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than Father Theodore Buseus began it in hopes
of keeping the multitude within due bounds.
To prevent too near an approach to the bier,
four robust persons had been placed in the
lighted chapel, to be the better able to maintain
order : these precautions succeeded at first ; but
after a little time, the pious spectators were not
content with merely gazing upon the features
of the amiable Berchmans, where still might
be admired the traces of angelical modesty and
sweetness ; these could not be effaced, even by
the paleness of death. The people, I say, were
not satisfied with looking at him, nor with kissing
his hands, and taking away the flowers which
were strewn upon his body ; they even took off
the cap from his head, the crucifix from his
hands, and his beads were exchanged several
times ; his habit was cut in a hundred places
at least; and the body would no doubt have
been entirely despoiled, if it had not been hur-
riedly conveyed into the sacristy. It was here
that the most illustrious persons, both of rank
and character were enabled to satisfy their piety,'
by respectfully kissing the feet of the servant of
God, honoring the tattered remnants of his habit
as relics, touching his face with their beads and
handkerchiefs, and loudly extolling the Lord,
for having given at so early an age such a
wonderful example of consummate virtue. Some

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ladies of high quality who had not been able
as yet to see him, fearing they should lose
this satisfaction if he were interred that same
evening, so urgently entreated that the cere-
mony might be deferred until the following day,
that it was impossible to refuse the request.
This delay enabled a painter to finish a portrait
of him, and gave the father-rector time to have
a leaden coffin made wherein to deposit his pre-
cious remains.

It was judged advisable, moreover, to have
his body opened, in order to discover the cause
of so early a death in one whose fine constitu-
tion seemed to promise an unusually length-
ened life. When the operation was performed,
his interior was found to be completely dried
and parched, which could only result from in-
cessant application, continual mortification, and
an extreme ardor which charity alone could
enkindle. But what caused the greatest sur-
prise, Was the discovery of a sort of prodigy,
by which Divine Providence would seem to
verify what had often been said of him ; namely,
that a young man so mild, and so uniformly
sweet tempered, could not have any gall ; and
in effect the surgeons found none whatever.
When his heart was extracted, which was done
that it might be sent to the college at Louvain, *
it was found full of blood, a circumstance which

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proved what has been already remarked, that
the love of Jesus Christ in him must have been
very predominant, so completely to have extin-
guished the love of pleasure, which naturally
belonged to him. When the operation was
completed, he was replaced in his coffin, and
carried back to the church, there to remain
until his interment, exposed to the view of those
persons who had not been able to satisfy their
piety the previous day. As they were chiefly
persons whose dignity and authority could not
well be resisted, it was necessary to allow them
the whole day to gratify their devotion. Dur-
ing this time, carefully as the body was watched,
it was impossible to prevent the people from
taking away what they considered precious
relics, and which every one seemed anxious to
possess. The new cassock, in which he had
been just clothed, was spared no more than his
own old ones, pieces were cut off in all direc-
tions ; his hair and his nails were cut off ; and
some one even went so far as to cut off one of
his toes. The only means of checking this
pious violence, was to consign his precious re-
mains to the tomb. This devoted imitator of
Aloysius Gonzaga, was first conveyed to his
chapel in a coffin, on which was a leaden plate,
with an inscription in his honor ; from thence
he was carried to another chapel, in which the

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body of his youthful patron had likewise re-
posed : in both these chapels he received con-
tinued marks of public veneration. His tomb
was honored by successive crowds of visitors;
every morning it was strewed with flowers, and
tapers were lighted before it : the stone which
covered his remains was kissed with religious
veneration ; recourse was had to his interces-
sion, and many, who acknowledged to have
been helped by him in their necessities, pub-
lished the power of the holy young man, and
brought offerings to the chapel where they had
felt the influence of his intercession. We may
here remark, that this eagerness to honor
Berchmans was not the blind devotion of the
common people, whose simple, and sometimes
superstitious piety easily yields to excess ; but
the most enlightened persons in Rome, min-
gling with the populace, strove who shoüld show
him most honor by openly proclaiming their
confidence in him. The most profound politi-
cians were not ashamed to seek lessons of true
wisdom at the tomb of this young religious,
who in life had only exhibited the simplicity of
a dove.

This would perhaps be the proper place to
relate the wonders which our Lord wrought to
glorify His servant ; the wonderful favors
granted through his intercession ; the numerous

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miracles which occurred on the day of his
burial ; the apparitions which several persons
of undoubted veracity had of him; his own
predictions of his death, and many other prodi-
gies, juridically verified in the process ordered
by Pope Gregory XV. ; but as they have not
yet the full character of authenticity, (sanc-
tioned by the authority of the Holy See,) my
aim has not been so much to describe an extra-
ordinary saint, to be held up as a spectacle of
admiration to the whole world, as to trace out,
as I have already remarked, a perfect model of
imitation for young Jesuits. And surely a
model such as this, completed in so short a
time, must be itself a miracle ; a young man,
thus exalted by the grace of Jesus Christ to the
most eminent degree of sanctity, at an age when
others have scarcely made the first advances,
may be looked upon as wonderful. One cir-
cumstance that evidently proves the extraordi-
nary virtues of John Berchmans, is the general
impression made by his death on the souls of
an infinite number of -Jesuits, whom it excited •
to a singular renewal of fervor. No sooner
was the news of his death spread through our
houses, than every one thought much more of
imitating him than of weeping for his loss.
The younger members in particular seemed
animated with a holy desire to imitate him in

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his love of prayer, modesty, and recollection ;
each one strove to excel in humility and morti-
fication ; nothing was heard at recreation but
pious discourses ; in fine, the idea of this holy
young man seemed to inspire all with heavenly
ardor. From Italy this laudable emulation was
immediately extended to other countries, par-
ticularly to Flanders. The college at Louvain
(whither the Reverend Father-general had sent
the precious deposit of Berchmans’ heart) and
the noviciate at Mechlin, were foremost in their
endeavors to keep alive the memory of Berch-
mans, by imitating his virtues, laboring with
all their strength to become faithful copies
their holy brother; and whether it be, that
their tender love for him was a lively spur
which urged them onwards to that high perfec-
tion of which he had given them such fine ex-
amples, or that he in heaven obtained for them
singular graces to attain to this perfection, cer-
tain it is, that in these two holy communities
many Berchmans may yet be found. Nor was
it only in our communities that this sacred fire
was enkindled : it soon extended to the schools,
and was thus communicated to the youth there
taught. A great number of young persons of
rank and talent conceived a strong desire to
follow him in the paths of purity, innocence,
and contempt of the world. The deserts of re-

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ligion became peopled ; and we may say, to the
comfort of the society, that this same society at
least reaped an abundant harvest. Even those
who remained in the world cherished the
memory of the servant of God, and frequently
owned that it had been a powerful preservative
against the corruptions of the age. These are
indubitable proofs of true sanctity.

Such is the portrait I propose to trace of
John Berchmans : there remains nothing more
towards its completion, but to add his senti-
ments, which may be called, “ the features of
the inward man and as these need never be
distrusted, when sustained by action, I shall
describe the manner in which he performed his
most important actions, which will form the
subject of the fourth book.

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BOOK IV.

The lives of those saints who began their
saintly career early in life, and whose fervor
never afterwards relented, are composed of
“full days,” according to the expression of
holy writ; and this plenitude consists in a
chain of holy actions, which occupy all the
hours of those precious days, without allowing
one to pass empty away. Such was the life of
John Berchmans, of whom it may be said,
(without intending to raise him above other
holy souls, whose memory we honor,) that there
are few whose years were more uniformly made
up of piety and virtue, by the care he took to
sanctify every moment of his time. From his
entrance into the noviciate, he drew up a plan of
action, which he observed to the last day of his
life, merely changing it according to circum-
stances when he quitted the noviciate to begin
his studies. We shall give it here, as it was
found amongst his writings.

His spiritual occupation in rising is thus
traced out : “At the sound of the bell to rise, I
will imagine that our Lord Himself calls me

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and making the sign of the cross, I will imme-
diately answer, 1 Lord, what wilt Thou have me
to do? my heart is ready;’ then banishing
from my mind every other thought but that of
my meditation, I will arrange the principal
points. In taking my dear habit I will kiss it
tenderly, rejoicing that I am allowed to wear
the livery of Jesus Christ, by returning Him
my humble thanks and begging Him never to
permit me to become unworthy of it. As soon
as I am decently clothed, I will fall upon my
knees, to pay my acts of adoration and thanks-
giving to the Most Holy Trinity ; and that they
may become more agreeable to the Eternal Fa-
ther, I will unite them with those offered to
Him by the W ord Incarnate during His mortal
life, to whom I will show my respect and love
by kissing His crucified image. I will next
address myself to our Blessed Lady, to my good
angel, to my father, St. Ignatius, and to my
other holy patrons, particularly the one I shall
have chosen for my protector during that day,
through whose hands I will present all my
prayers to the Divine Majesty : the prayers to
be particularly recited are the Pater, Ave,
Credo, the prayer of the congregation, and the
formulary of my vows, protesting that I will
live and die a true son of the Church, of our
Blessed Lady, and of the society. After this I

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will propose these four things : 1st, to perform
all my actions purely for the glory of God, in
thanksgiving for His benefits, and in the hope
of obtaining new graces ; 2ndly, to be particu-
larly attentive to the subject of my particular
examen ; 3rdly, to die rather than commit the
least venial sin, or to transgress the least of my
rules; 4thly, to live and die in the society.
Having acquitted myself of this exercise, I will
prepare for meditation by fervent aspirations,
saying, in imitation of David, ‘ Open, O Lord,
my lips and my heart, that I may study Thy
greatness, and proclaim Thy praises;’ or, { 0
my God, may the fire of Thine holy love be
enkindled in me during my meditation;’ or,
‘ Teach me, O Lord, how to pray.’ The moment
I hear the signal to begin prayer, taking holy
water, I will make the sign of the cross, place
myself in the presence of God, adoring Him
profoundly; then I will commence the grand
affair of communication with Him, omitting
none of the regulations left us by St. Ignatius,
under the name ofadditions. I will excite my
soul to bless the Lord, uniting all its powers to
praise Him, saying with the royal phrophet,
1 My soul, bless thou the Lord, and may all
that is within me praise His holy name.’ I
will apply my memory to the recollection of
the mystery or truth upon which I am to be

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engaged; my understanding to conceive and
penetrate its depth; my will to be affection-
ately attached to it; being fully persuaded,
that without this union of my heart with God,
my meditation will only be a dry and barren
speculation. Towards the end I will address
myself to the three persons of the Blessed
Trinity, begging Them to place a seal upon
my heart, in order to preserve what They have
operated therein ; and in this sort of colloquy,
I will endeavor to observe great respect to-
wards the Sovereign Majesty. When I have
finished my prayer, I will make a short reflec-
tion upon all that passed during it, thanking
God for all the good he condescended to confer
upon me, and confounding myself for all the
imperfection mingled in it, which alone belongs
to me. Then I will mark on paper the graces
received from our Lord, the resolutions He in-
spired me to make, and the most powerful
motives which induced them. When the time
of mass approaches, I will endeavor to be
among the first in the church. In going thither
I will question myself thus: ‘Whither art
thou going, Berchmans ? what art thou going
to do ? 7 to which I will answer myself from the
bottom of my heart, ‘I am going to present
myself to the Eternal Father, to offer Him the
sacrifice of His dear Son.’ As soon as I am

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before the holy altar, after placing myself upon
my knees, and making an act of profound
adoration, I will renew my morning’s general
intention ; adding to it those others suitable to
this most holy and august mystery of religion.
Prostrate then in spirit at the foot of the cross,
I will assist at this unbloody sacrifice as I
should have done at the bloody immolation on
Calvary ; accompanying the priest, and conform-
ing the sentiments of my heart to the words he
pronounces until the Offertory ; then applying
myself entirely to the passion of our Lord, I
will review the principal mysteries of it. Towards
the beginning of the Canon I will represent to
myself the only Son of God stretching Him-
self upon His cross as upon His bed of sorrows,
presenting His hands and feet to His execution-
ers : at this spectacle, raising my eyes and heart
to the Eternal Father, I will say to Him, 1 0
my God, look upon the face of Thy Son.’ By
the adorable head of this Divine Victim, crowned
with thorns, I will pray for the Sovereign Pon-
tiff, and for Christian kings and princes; that
the first may govern the Church holily, and
the latter defend it with zeal. In consideration
of this divine head, I will recommend him who
is the head of the society, and its other superiors.
By the right hand I will conjure the Father of
Mercies to show mercy to those who are allied

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to me by blood, granting them grace to observe
His holy law; and particularly to show His
most tender favors to those who are spiritually
united with me ; such as those with whom I have
the honor to live, and, in short, every member of
the society, with whom I am closely bound in
Jesus Christ ; begging Him to grant them grace
to persevere until death angelical purity ; that
they may be worthy instruments of the society,
and preserve with constant fidelity in the grace
of their vocation. By the left hand, I will
recommend all my enemies to God, (in case I
have any,) begging Him to bless them with His
good gifts. By the same hand I will beg the
light of faith for infidels and heretics, and the
grace of charity for all bad Christians in a state
of mortal sin. By the right foot I will present
to the Eternal Father all those members of the
Society of Jesus, who perhaps do not live up to
the perfection of their state ; that they may be
animated by a new fervor, and concur with the
other members of this holy order in promoting
the honor of the sacred name. In fine, by the
left foot I will beg Him to have pity on all those
who have quitted the order, whether through
levity or weakness, that they may have grace to
return to their duty. At the elevation of the
Sacred Host I will adore our Lord Jesus Christ,
as truly there present as He was on the tree of

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the cross ; saying from the bottom of my heart
these words of the Church: ‘We adore Thee,
O Lord, and we bless Thee, because Thou hast
redeemed the world by Thy holy cross.* Con-
tinuing the same spirit of amorous devotion, I
will recite leisurely the ‘Anima Christi* attentive-
ly considering every word of this devout prayer,
so well calculated to inspire love and confidence
towards Jesus crucified. When the priest says,
‘ Nobis quoque peccatoribus,* I will enter with
most respectful tenderness into the wound of
the sacred side of my dear Saviour ; conjuring
him to inclose therein, to preserve, strengthen,
and protect the society ; to permit me, notwith-
standing my unworthiness, to dwell there, as in
a secret asylum, secure from the attacks of my
enemies ; and that by the immense charity which
induced Him to receive this holy wound, He
will be pleased to penetrate my heart with the
flames of His most pure love, producing therein
those virtues which will make me most pleas-
ing to Himself, but especially those which will
enable me to live and die a true sop of the
society ; to give me, for this purpose, an exalted
sanctity and great learning, if the latter will
tend to the greater glory of God. I will then
conclude ail my petitions, by begging a filial love
of our Blessed Lady ; not forgetting an earnest
recommendation in favor of the dead, with

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whom I may be united either by the ties of
blood or by religion, and particularly for those
most abandoned. At the priest’s communion
I will unite my heart with his, by way of spirit-
ual communion; and after receiving in spirit
what the holy minister receives in reality, I will
join my acts of thanksgiving to his. After
this, reflecting upon the manner in which I
have performed this action, I will beg pardon
of our Lord for the faults that may have slipped
in ; and then entreat him to present my offering
to His divine Father, in union with the sacrifice
of Himself, just offered by the priest in His name.
I will observe this same method of hearing mass
on communion days ; only adding frequent acts
of desire of this ineffable grace, vouchsafed to
me by our Lord, begging Him, by the merits of
His passion, to prepare for Himself a worthy
resting place. I will occupy myself with these
thoughts more particularly from the Pater Noster,
using some of the most tender expressions from
the Holy Scriptures, in proof of my impatient
desire to be united to Him ; such as, 4 The stag,
when thirsty, seeks fountains of water ; so does my
soul, 0 Lord, seek Thee ;’ or, 4 Who will procure
for me the pleasure of enjoying Thee, my Broth-
er?’ or, ‘Come, 0 my Beloved, come into Thy
garden.’ Then, full of confidence that the Lord
hears my sighs, I will imagine that He says this

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consoling word to me : 4 1 will go and cure him.’
At this favorable answer, confounded like the
humble centurion in the Gospel, I will say, 4 1
am not worthy to receive Thee into my house,
O Lord ; say but one word, and I shall be cured.’
Seeing that this God of goodness, notwithstand-
ing my unworthiness, still condescends to honor
me with His presence, I will affectionately say,
conformably with the priest’s words, 4 May the
body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my
soul to everlasting life!’ At the moment I
shall have received Him, in a sentiment of pro-
found recollection I will pay Him my respect-
ful homage, and acts of thanksgiving, and of
lively faith, most firmly believing, that He
whom I possess is the true Son of God and of
the Blessed Virgin. Filled with astonishment
at the consideration of His greatness and of my
own unworthiness, I will ask, 4 Whence is this
favor, that my Lord and my God should come
to me?’ With the design of testifying my
gratitude, I will beg my holy patrons to supply
for my insufficiency by their ardent .love. I
will add my little devotions and light mortifi-
cations to what they are doing for me, together
with the renovation of my vows, as the humble
and loving tribute of my heart. In fine, after
asking of the Eternal Father, in consideration
of His dear Son, grace to serve Him perfectly,

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and to love our Blessed Lady more tenderly, I
will conclude my thanksgiving with the ordi-
nary reflections. Although the foundation of
my intentions for communion should be always
the same, I may occasionally vary some cir-
cumstances, according to the different myste-
ries which the Church celebrates, having learnt
from St. Ignatius, that to follow the spirit and
sentiments of the Church is the characteristic
mark of solid piety, and is always secure from
illusions. Therefore, as this mother of the
faithful teaches us to honor Jesus Christ in all
the stages of His life, by dividing them into
different festivals, I will endeavor to make my
devotions conformable to them. This is the
plan I may follow during the holy time of
Advent, consecrated to the memory of the In-
carnation of the Eternal Word, and to the
birth of an Infant-God. to whom I have for
ever devoted all my affections. In going to
the church I will imagine that I am about to
witness the spectacle of a God made man, and
reduced to the infirmities of infancy. As the
priest goes up to the altar, I will in spirit ac-
company the most holy Virgin, and her chaste
spouse St. Joseph, on their journey from Na-
zareth to Bethlehem : I will attentively con-
sider these holy persons, be the witness of their
patience, of their recpllection, and of their mod-

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esty. These thoughts will occupy me until the
Gospel, during which I will renew my faith
upon the mysteries of this God -Man; some-
times contemplating the grandeur of His eter-
nal generation, and then reverting to the
annihilations of His temporal birth. At the
Offertory, I will imagine I behold the Queen
of Angels vainly seeking for a lodging in the
town of Bethlehem ; filled with compassion and
astonishment at seeing her thus repulsed, I will
offer her my heart, to be the residence of her-
self and her divine Child. I will admire this
august princess entering a lowly stable, there
to bring forth the Creator of all things ; and
beholding Him in the priest’s hands at the eleva-
tion, I will adore Him as if He were just born.
With loving respect I will contemplate His
poverty, His lowliness, and His humiliations;
at the same time, I will firmly believe, that He,
who sits at the right hand of his Father in
splendid glory, is the same whom I now behold
under the sacramental species, as He who was
clothed in poor swath ing-bands. I will love Him
tenderly in this contemptible and humble state ;
urging Him with fresh ardor to - enter into my
heart, as, at the moment of communion, He in
reality will do. I will adore Him there most
profoundly, with all the powers of my soul, re-
presenting to Him, that as He is all-powerful

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with His Father, so I hope He will establish and
constantly maintain me in His gracious favor;
protesting, as Jacob did to the angel, that I will
not let Him depart, until He has blessed me
and granted me the fruits of a holy communion.
As nothing better conduces to this than an exact
confession, which purifies the heart of the stains
which make it offensive to the Author of all
purity, before I receive this amiable Guest I
will have recourse to the sacrament of penance.
In order to do this with greater profit, I will
address myself to our Blessed Lady, to obtain
through her means, grace to know and detest
my sins ; I will beg the same of her dear Son,
and His mediation with His Eternal Father.
After this short prayer follows my examination
of conscience, which must be made without
negligence and without anxiety. I will next
endeavor to excite a lively sorrow", from a motive
of most pure love ; and as my desire to please
Jesus Christ must be without reserve, so like-
wise my regret for having displeased Him, and
my resolution never more to displease Him,
must be without exception. For my method of
confession, I will observe that w'hich is common
to the society ; and my interior disposition at
the moment of receiving absolution shall be to
consider myself at the feet of my crucified Jesus,
receiving the drops of His precious blood, flow*

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BLESSED JOHN” BERCHMANS. 215

ing from His wounds, for the purification of my
soul ; and hearing from His sacred lips these
words of grace, 4 Go in peace, your sins are for-
given.’ On quitting the holy tribunal, I will
most affectionately thank my Judge for the
merciful decree He has just pronounced in my
favor. I will renew my protestations of fidelity,
and acquit myself of my penance; and in con-
clusion, will say with humble gratitude , 1 Accept,
O Lord, the confession I have just made, how-
ever imperfect it may have been ; receive it
through the prayers and merits of the Blessed
Virgin, and of my holy patrons. If any fault
has glided in, either in this or in any of my
former confessions, whether from want of integri-
ty in the accusation, from want of vehemence in
the sorrow, or from want of strength in the pur-
pose of amendment, be pleased to supply for all
this by Thine infinite mercy, and grant that
the absolution I have received on earth may be
ratified in heaven. Amen.’

44 Next to the study of virtue, nothing is more
necessary for a Jesuit, than the study of the
sciences; therefore I mùst never separate the
duties of the scholar from the duties of the reli-
gious. I reduce them both to these three heads.
.The first and most essential, which relates to
God, consists in desiring only the greater glory
of God in all studies. The true means to nourish

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this pure intention, is union with Him by pray-
.er : it is there I shall find light in the obscure
path of science, and that holy unction so neces-
sary in dry study, to which my state obliges
me. To prayer I must join the general and
particular examens ; assiduity in daily assisting
at holy mass with all possible devotion, and the
sacraments of penance and communion every
week. These are the means to maintain an in-
terior spirit, which our holy founder employed
whilst he was studying in Paris. Having ac-
complished this duty of piety, (which should be
the soul of my studies,) the most useful and the
most meritorious method will be to study accord-
ing to the spirit of the society ; to do this exactly,
I must be indifferent and without choice; I
must apply to that branch of study, and take les-
sons from that master assigned me by obedience.
Having consecrated the first moments of the
day to mediation on the science of the saints,
I must devote the time which follows to the
speculations of human science ; carefully read-
ing and studying the lessons of my master;
clearing away their difficulties if I am able, if
not, I will mark them upon paper, and ask an
explanation later. Faithful in studying at the
time appointed, I will be equally so in not
exceeding the prescribed limits ; remembering
that the same authority which requires study

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 217

for a certain length of time, forbids its continu-
ation beyond that time; therefore, after two
hours’ application I will interrupt it, in order
to return to it with fresh ardor after allowing
myself the usual relaxation. In domestic reci-
tations, and in public disputations, I consider
that a scholar of the society is obliged to give
proof of his talent and capacity, never forget-
ting at the same time, to give proofs of his
modesty and humility. Lastly, I have two
things to observe, with regard to the compan-
ions of my studies : the first is, always to ad-
dress them in Latin, (according to the rule,)
except during the hours of recreation, if they
are Jesuits ; the second is, if they are not Jesuits,
never to speak to them without permission, to
which I add, that having obtained this permis-
sion, I will use it only to discourse with them
either upon piety or study, in order that they
may be either edified or instructed. In a word,
that I may fail in none of my obligations, I will
have this thought ever present to my mind, * I
have the honor of being a son of the society.’
I will give great attention to those actions which
are most essential to a religious during the
term of his studies, and to neglect none, how-
ever light they may seem; besides my morn-
ing’s general intention, which consecrates them
all to God, I will offer them again in particular,

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before and after performing them. At the
commencement, raising my heart to God, I will
say to him, 4 My Lord and my God, in acknowl-
edgment of Thine absolute dominion over me,
and of the ineffable goodness Thou hast shown
me, I offer this action, together with my whole
self, to Thee, wishing neither to act nor to exist,
but for the interests of Thy glory ; I also offer
it to obtain from Thy Divine Majesty the
graces and virtues necessary for me, such as
humility, devotion towards our Blessed Lady,
and those dispositions of heart which will make
me agreeable to you and her. In fine, I unite
it to every similar act of my Lord Jesus Christ,
hoping that this union will stamp value and
merit upoù my action, which it could not other-
wise deserve. , Towards the end I will renew
my offering, somewhat in these terms : 1 The
action I have just performed belongs to Thee,
O adorable Trinity ; I wish I had a thousand
hearts, wherewith to offer it to Thee ! I pre-
sent it, together with the tears, blood, and sor-
rows of Jesus Christ; with the merits of the
holy Virgin ; with the blood of the martyrs,
especially those of the society ; with the praises
and love of all the angels and saints, who will
glorify Thee throughout eternity. Amen.’ ”
After this detail of exterior actions, chosen
from among many others, there only remains

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 219

to describe the interior sentiments of the ser-
vant of God: it would scarcely be just to sepa-
rate, one from the other, the sentiments of the
heart being the main-spring which regulates
the actions of saints, whilst their actions are
solid proofs of the sincerity of their sentiments.
Berchman’s are scattered through his writings,
without attention to order. Perhaps it will be
well to arrange them under certain heads,
taldng also the liberty to express their sense,
rather than strictly to follow his words; de-
signing thereby to make them more useful to
my readers, who will find a faithful mirror, in
which the whole interior of the holy young
man will be clearly represented. The follow-
ing, therefore, are the pure sentiments of Berch-
mans 7 heart.

“ To Love God, and to love nothing but Him ;
or if we love something else, it must be loved
only in Him and for Him. It is this which
constitutes the felicity of the saints in heaven,
and it must also be the merit of those who
strive to be such on earth. However slight our
attachment to creatures may be, it slackens the
cord which binds us to God ; we withdraw from
the latter what we give to the former. This
great God owns no sympathy with a divided
heart; He seeks to possess without division
what He deserves without reserve. A divided

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heart is unworthy of Him, and such an illiberal
offering is well calculated to restrain His gene-
rosity. What does it signify whether or no
our fellow-creatures love us ? They are so in-
significant ; in fact, it is far better not to be
loved by them ; their friendship is dangerous,
and generally costs the person who seeks it, if
not the love, at least the caresses and special
favors of God. We must not value the esteem
of the world; it is at best but a bad judge,
which often despises what ought to be esteemed,
and esteems what deserves contempt. We are
only worth the price at which God values us;
true merit must be weighed in His scales ; for
it is His judgment which alone can decide be-
tween real and counterfeit virtues. We risk
all when we place our confidence in men: their
protection is weak, inconstant, and fragile:
they do us but little good, and that little is
uncertain : their power is so limited, that all
their good- will cannot make us happy. On the
contrary, how sweet it is to rely on God ! I
have then nothing to fear. He is my Father,
and my Father is all-powerful : I need not fear,
either that He is unwilling or unable to sup-
port the child who throws himself upon His
bosom. O Jesus, my Lovel God of my heart,
and centre of all my affections ; all my happi-
ness, all my good, both for time and eternity,

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rests in Thee alone ! I expect no graces, no
virtues, but inasmuch as I shall be united to
Thee. Thou art the true Vine; I am only an
unprofitable branch, having no other life than
what Thou givest me by Thy grace. If I re-
main inseparably united with Thee, I shall
share Thy fruitfulness ; and sterile as I am of
myself, shall bear immortal fruit; but if, un-
happily, I separate from Thee, I shall become
dry, withered, useless, and only fit to be thrown
into the fire. The world, the flesh, and the
devil contend with Jesus Christ for the domin-
ion of my heart. Miserable indeed shall I be
if they succeed ! and I should be deservedly
punished for my evil choice, by the cruel sla-
very that these harsh masters would reduce me
to. On the contrary, O my Saviour, how sweet
it is to live under Thy laws! Servitude under
Thee becomes delightful, and is far preferable
to the most unrestricted liberty. In Thee I
find everything that can comfort and reassure
me in the grand voyage to eternity. Thou art
the way I must follow, the light which must
guide me, and the true life, to which I look as
the term of my pilgrimage. What can I seek
for elsewhere ! It is true, 0 my Lord, Thou
sometimes seemest to hide Thyself from me,
and then all is darkness and dryness; but it
seldom lasts long, and I knew that Thy loving

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providence permits it for my good. As soon
as I call upon Thee, Thou hearest my sighs,
Thou becomest propitious to my prayers ; and
raising the veil which concealed the charms of
Thy divine countenance, it appears that Thou
didst withdraw Thyself for a moment only to
make our approaching re-union more close and
binding. Thou art good, but Thou art like-
wise jealous; and Thy sensibility keeps pace
with Thy goodness. Thou insistest upon fidelity
in Thy servants ; and can we flatter ourselves
that we are such, when we deliberately consent
to displease Thee ?

u Perfect love, and the smallest deliberate
sin, are incompatible in the same heart ; we
must be determined never to consent to sin, if
we desire the perfection of Thy love. Now,
whoever sincerely loves Thee, my Divine Sa-
viour, must love Thee upon the cross and upon
the altar : there Thou diest ; here, Thou livest
for us : it is in these two places I will live and
die. Nothing can be more consoling during
life, than to pass a great part of it with our
Lord residing in the Blessed Sacrament ; and
nothing can be more consoling in death, than
to have truly loved our crucified God : we may
then with confidence kiss His image, if we have
had courage to copy it faithfully.

“I cannot love Jesus, without loving His.

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 223

holy Mother. What a fund of consolation for
me to know, that the Mother of my God conde-
scends to be my Mother ! and that she adopts
me as her child ! Yes, from my earliest years,
♦I have had the honor of being such ; scarcely
was I capable of knowing my mother according
to the flesh, than you, Divine Virgin, became
my Mother according to the spirit ! It was in
the chapel of Montaigu, that I received the fa-
vor of this holy adoption, which has been fol-
lowed by an infinity of others ; but the greatest
and most inestimable of all, was that of being
led, as it were, by the hand into the society of
your dear Son ; hoping through your interces-
sion to die in it ; and this will be the crown of all
the rest. As there are no Jesuits who do not
acknowledge, that they owe the favor of being
such to our Blessed Lady ; so, none can hope to
be good Jesuits, unless-they profess a tender and ;
solid devotion towards this Sovereign Benefac-
tress. It is in vain to flatter ourselves that we
have this solid devotion to the Queen of Angels,
if we do not love with her the virtues she so
singularly loved, particularly her modesty and
her purity. The first was so incomparable,
that it appears more than human; the second
was so excellent, that it drew to her Him who
is purity itself ; and as the love of Mary cannot
exist in a heart without the love of purity,

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so neither can the love of purity long main-
tain itself there without the aid of modesty,
which is its most faithful guardian. After our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Sovereign Media-
tor, all my confidence is in our Blessed Lady, »
my dear Mother and my all-powerful Protec-
tress : the wounds of Jesus and the bosom of
Mary are my two precious asylums. It is in
vain the devils seek my loss ; like the timid dove
pursued by the hawk, which hides itself in the
cleft of the rock, so will I retire into these se-
cure fortresses, which are inaccessible to their
fury. If we have not a filial confidence in the
Mother of God, how can we live in repose?
And can we die tranquilly if we are not shielded
by her maternal protection ?

“Every religious ought to be particularly
attached to the order in which Providence has
placed him ; it is a duty of justice and charity
to respect all other orders approved by the
Church ; but it is moreover, a duty of gratitude,
to add tenderness and respect to justice and
charity, with regard to the order to which each
individual belongs. The honor which God does
to the society, by making use of it to His own
glory, must ever oblige me to respect it ; but
the honor it does me, by ranking me in the
number of its children, obliges me to love, no
less than to respect it ; and how can I show my

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 225

lively, my heartfelt gratitude to the order other-
wise than by honoring and loving it as a mother,
and considering all my brothers as my masters,
rendering them, as such, all the services I am
able ? Even if my unworthiness, joined to the
favors I have received, did not inspire these
sentiments, the example of Jesus and Mary
would engrave them profoundly in my heart.
A God descends from the throne of His gran-
deur, and from being Master of the universe,
becomes a Servant : a Mother of God glories in
being the hand-maid of Him whose mother she
is declared to be, and could the thought of
being served, instead of serving others, enter
for a moment into my heart after such an ex-
ample! I must look upon my superior as
God’s delegate, invested with His authority,
the interpreter of His will, in my regard;
therefore, when I speak to him, I owe him the
most profound respect ; when he speaks to me,
I owe him the most submissive obedience.
As long as my heart is open to him, the
devil will never gain access there ; and it will
be open to him in proportion as I confide in
and love him. To preserve these due disposi-
tions I will always consider him as my father,
and as holding the place of the best of fathers.
I shall never interfere in my destination, whe-
ther with regard to place or employment ; and
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as I certainly should not wish to die either in
a house or office of my own choosing, so neither
should I seek to live according to my own ar-
rangements.

“ I will carefully avoid asking my superiors
the motives of their conduct; that concerns
them, not me : all my concern must be to re-
ceive their commands, and submit to them:
what they appoint is the will of God, and that
is reason enough for me. I must be severe to-
wards myself, but show only sweetness and con-
descension towards my brothers. My eyes shall
be constantly open to my own faults ; I will
establish a tribunal in my heart, where I may
always accuse myself, but where I may never
condemn them. Ever ready to oblige them,
my chief pleasure shall be to please them for
God’s sake. I cannot deny, that if I should
meet with any tepid dispositions, whose hearts
I could not hope to inflame with the love of
God, their society would certainly be painful
to me, from a just fear that it might prove con-
tagious ; thanks, however, to the Lord, I know no
such persons ; for all here are animated by ex-
traordinary fervor, therefore it matters little
with whom I may associate in the recreation
hours, since I may derive profit from the con-
versation of every one. As Almighty God dis-
penses His favors differently to His servants,

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227

some appear to be more fervent than others ; and
I own, that the same principle which would lead
me to withdraw from the imperfect and tepid,
would give me a strong inclination towards the
more fervent, on account of the spiritual inter-
course I might have with them ; but which it
would be difficult to maintain with persons indif-
ferent to the interests of God and their own sal-
vation.

“I do not consider that I offend common
charity, by showing particular regard to the
lay-brothers, who are placed by obedience, and
by their state, in humble offices ; for laboring all
day as they do, for the convenience or comfort
of our bodies, it is only just that we endeavor to
procure the good of their souls. I will love all
my brothers, but be particularly attached to no
one; private friendships are dangerous to a
community ; when once they glide in, charity is
weakened, and good order is reversed. Thanks
to our Lord, my heart is free ; and as it is tied
to nothing, so likewise is it attached to no
person. I love nothing, but in Thee, and for
Thee, O my God ! and if I knew that any other
love existed in my heart, I should consider it a
profane flame, capable of extinguishing the
sacred fire of Thy holy love. Can we persuade
ourselves, that we respect our holy founder, that
we love our order, or that we seek our perfec-

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tion, if we neglect the spirit of our legislator,
the good order of religion, or the sanctity of the
religious and all comprised* in the rules ? If the
rules of religion be ill-observed, violation of the
vows may be expected : a besieged city is soon
taken when the out-posts are in the hands of
the enemy. We must not undervalue any of
the rules because they appear little ; they can-
not in reality be so, since the salvation and per-
fection of a religious depend on them ; but even
if they were little, I would always love them, as
being the sacred cords which bind me to Jesus
Christ; cords, formed by St. Ignatius, whom I
must ever wish to please ; and I am certain of
pleasing him, whilst I love my rules. Now, as
I am incapable of doing great things, my only
resource is fidelity in little things ; consequently,
I would rather lose my life than transgress any
one of my rules, being anxious to have at death
the consolation of having kept them all. I will
never ask a dispensation, but in case of great
necessity* as for general dispensations, I will
have the greatest horror of them, as being con-
stantly opposed to the spirit of dépendance;
moreover, they are usually asked, in order to
avoid the trouble of frequent applications to
the superior, and to insure our own greater
liberty.

The idea which most frequently recurs to my

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BDESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS.

229

mind, and gives me the greatest consolation, is
to consider all my brothers as my superiors, and
myself, prostrate at their feet; the honor of
living amongst them, is a favor of which I am
so wholly unworthy, that I am equally surprised
at my own presumption in asking it, and at the
condescension shown in granting it. Being in
myself only nothingness and sin, I must esteem
myself unworthy of all honor, on account of the
first, and deserving of all contempt, on account
the second ; this must be the rule of my self-
valuation ; and if my justice in this respect be
true and sincere, I shall be glad that others
have the same opinion of me : to be humble
only in my own eyes, is to be humble by halves ;
but to be humbled in the eyes of others, is true
humility. The desire I have for humiliations,
is the real measure of my humility : if I seek to
avoid the former, I have no sincere affection for
the latter ; and if I have but little love for this
virtue, which is the foundation of all sanctity,
it must follow, as a necessary consequence, that
I have no real intention to become a saint.
We shall never attain to this humiliation, so
precious in the sight of God, unless we are
deeply impressed with this conviction: ‘Of
myself, I have nothing ; and the mere weight
of nature would again reduce me to nothing, if
the hand of my Creator did not sustain me. If,

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of myself, I have anything beyond this nothing,
it is another weight which draws me to sin,
and which would occasion a thousand danger-
ous falls, if the hand of my Redeemer did not
support me. Behold here, the root of my self-
contempt ; the fruit of it must be to seek my
own abasement on every occasion.’

“ I shall flatter myself in vain that I love my
crucified Jesus, if I do not also love His cross.
If He had not loved it, would He have given so
many proofs of His love ? Has He not a right
to expect from me the same proofs of love ? and
if He has a right to expect them, dare I presume
to withhold them? Even if my duty, as a
Christian, did not oblige me to love Thy cross,

0 my Jesus ! the quality of Jesuit would surely
be sufficient: as such I have the honor of being
Thy companion; shame then would it be on
me, to accompany Thee to Mount Thabor, and
refuse to follow Thee to Mount Calvary ! Self-
renunciation is the fundamental law imposed on
us by the Gospel ; it must be without limits, if

1 desire to have perfection. This renunciation
must begin by the senses, and will produce strict
modesty ; but it is necessary that it should pass
to the soul, and there produce obedience by a
total subjection of the will and judgment. We
advance in the path of divine love, only in propor-
tion as we check the movements of self-love:

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

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and as the love of God is and must be perfection
itself, we can only hope to become perfect by
offering violence to ourselves. One of the safest
mortifications, and the one which I consider least
subject to illusion, is to do what others do, to do
it constantly, and with a pure intention. There
is nothing in community life, either to wound the
body or to nourish pride. Another sort of morti-
fication to which our Lord particularly inclines
me, is the custody of my eyes, as being necessary
to purity of heart and recollection of mind, with-
out which it is impossible to be a man of prayer.
The regulation I have made on this point, is to
keep my eyes always cast down, unless charity
or necessity oblige m,e to raise them. The virtue
which must watch over them is continual mod-
esty. This virtue has always appeared to me
as becoming to a Christian, of obligation to a
religious, and of necessity to a Jesuit. It is
ornamental to the first, because it was one of
the distinguishing features of Jesus Christ,
whom the Christian ought to resemble; it is
expected from the second, whom it should not
only adorn, but even cover, as a cloak, accord-
ing to St. Paul’s expression ; it is necessary to
the third, because, being obliged by his state
to an intercourse with the world, he will never
instil principles of virtue in the hearts of others,
unless he first edifies them by his modesty ;

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which must be, as it were, a silent lesson before
he begins to speak to them ; and unless this
dispose them to hear him favorably, his dis-
courses will do but little. Besides this motive
there are several others which lead to the esteem
of modesty. One of the most powerful with
me has always been a desire to imitate therein
the Blessed Virgin, «who, according to St. Denis,
was in this respect pre-eminently remarkable.
Next to the example of this good mother, I
respect that of St. Ignatius, my holy father,
whose rules were not compiled without being
watered by his tears, and frequently carried to
the holy altar. Moreover, the presence of God,
who exacts this respectful comportment, im-
presses it deeply in my heart, no less than the
passion of Jesus Christ, who suffered in all the
members of His natural body, to expiate the
undue liberties of which the members of His
mystical body are guilty.

“ I entered into religion, only that I might
abandon the inclinations of the world; and I
quitted the world on purpose that I might enter
the paths of sanctity. I made myself a reli-
gious, that I might become a saint; and a
Jesuit that I might become a great saint; yet,
I shall never be such unless I labor at it in
good earnest. Whilst we drag on an imper-
fect life, time is passing away ; our good designs

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233

weaken, the heart of God cools, graces are lost,
sanctity slips from us, and we find ourselves at
the end of life when we are scarcely at the be-
ginning of perfection. What will it avail me
before God to have been a Jesuit, if I have not
been a good Jesuit? or, to have been a mem-
ber of the society, if I have not been animated
by its spirit ? or, to have been honored with a
holy vocation, if I have not duly sustained its
sanctity? To become a great saint, it is not
always necessary to do great things; it is often
sufficient if we do the least, provided that we
do them perfectly, when we act with great
purity of intention, with order, and by obedi-
ence, avoiding caprice and inconstancy. The
distinguishing mark of a faithful soul, is to
have a great esteem of all things, and a gene-
rosity of heart which prepares us for the great-
est.

“ Thanks to the goodness of Almighty God,
I feel a sincere desire and determination, to
observe everywhere, and without human re-
spect, the smallest practices of humility, exacti-
tude, and mortification, in the manner suggested
to me during my noviciate. They were the
seeds of sanctity, which Thou, 0 my God, cast
into my heart : can I resolve to stifle them ?
Shall I render sterile those graces which have
cost Thee every drop of Thy precious blood ?

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N*ol never will I forget Thy divine goodness ;
and rather than fail in my resolutions (which
are the effects of it) I would prefer a thousand
deaths. Such is the disposition, in which Thy
mercy has placed me ; through the same mercy,
I hope my conduct will ever correspond with
such great favors. The great means to secure
a continuation of these favors, so necessary for
me, is prayer; by which I do not exactly mean
that prayer which is made when we are sum-
moned to it by the sound of the bell ; we must
then pray with the greatest exactitude; be-
cause, being made in common, our Lord usually
bestows particular blessings upon it ; but I
must not be content with that ; the signal which
ends that prayer, must be the signal for me to
begin another ; less methodical, it is true, but
equally lively and loving ; it consists in a con-
tinual union of my heart with God, which no
occupation of the day ought to be able to in-
terrupt. All the peace of my soul, all my ad-
vancement in virtue, depends upon my exacti-
tude in performing spiritual duties : when they
are well discharged, we are tranquil, and we
enjoy a sort of supernatural health and strength ;
however little we may fail in them, we become
liable to trouble, exposed to a thousand imper-
fections, and deprived of a certain vigor neces-
sary to resist and overcome them.

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“ However much I may be persuaded of the
importance of study, I am still more so of the
necessity of prayer ; the devotion there imbibed
is the soul of a Jesuit. Tain will be his skill
in human sciences, if he be unacquainted with
the science of the saints ; he is only a counter-
feit Jesuit in the sight of Jesus Christ, who
will not fail one day to make him the same re-
proach, as he formerly did to the Bishop of
Sardis: ‘I know your works; you have the
reputation of being a living man, nevertheless,
you are dead/ ”

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APPENDIX.

BOOK Y.

Of the estimation of sanctity in which
the Blessed John was held; and of

THE MANY MIRACLES, BY WHICH GOD WAS
PLEASED TO GLORIFY HIM AFTER DEATH.

CHAPTER I.

Measures adopted by Father Mutius Vitelleschi
General of the Society , to confine within due
limits the devotion towards the Blessed John.
He orders his Life to be written/ and published ,
and prefaces it himself with a high eulogium.

It now remains for us to speak, in this Fifth
Book, of the great esteem of sanctity, in
which the Blessed John was held, especially by
his brethren, with whom he almost solely con-
versed, and of the many miracles, by which
God was pleased to render his name glorious
and his memory venerated after death.

Although the virtues of this holy youth,
confined within the domestic walls, came but
little under the observation of externs; never-
theless, scarcelv had the first intelligence of

237

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238 THE LIFE OF

his precious death spread through Borne, when
a multitude of people of every age and condi-
tion, flocked immediately, as has been already
stated, to the Church of the Eoman College, to
see and venerate his mortal remains. And
this concourse kept on increasing during the
two days that his body remained unburiecf;
nay, it did not cease, even after the corpse was
enclosed in the coffin and deposited in the
tomb. Wherefore, Father Mutius Vitelleschi,
General of the Society, entertaining a well-
grounded fear, that in these almost universal
demonstrations of honor, the bounds prescribed
by the Apostolical Constitutions and by recent
decrees of the Sovereign Pontiff, might be over-
leaped, found himself obliged to apply a curb
to this excessive transport of devotion; and
thereupon wrote a letter to Father Virgil Ce-
pari, Eector of the Eoman College, which was
to be communicated also to the Superiors of
our other houses in Borne. This letter, as
given in full in the Processes, is as follows :

11 Very Eeverend Father in Christ: Though
all should entertain for virtue and for the par-
ticular graces of our good God that esteem
which they deserve ; nevertheless, on the pres-
ent occasion of the happy departure of our
Brother John, I would remind Your Beverence
to admonish all in your College, and to extend

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 239:

the admonition to our other houses in Rome,
that, both in words and in every other external
demonstration, they should remember the first
spirit of the Society, which characterised its
proceedings at the death of the Blessed Father
Ignatius himself, and of Father Faber, and of
Father Borgia, and of so many other eminent
servants of God. .Moreover, that they are not
to give to seculars any thing which belonged to
the said Brother, nor relics of any sort apper-
taining to him; it being not proper in such
matters to anticipate the divine disposition, but
rather to await with humility and reserve the
times determined by the providence of God.
In conclusion, I beseech the Divine Majesty to
multiply his blessings upon the whole College,
in such a manner that in each one may shine
forth the modesty, the regularity and every
other virtue of our departed Brother, and that
all may become living pictures and relics of
him. I commend myself to the prayers and
holy sacrifices of Your Reverence and of all.
From the Professed House, August 15, 1621.
Your Reverence’s Servant in Christ, Mutius
Vitelleschi .”

.Such measures did he with great wisdom
adopt, but two days after the death of the ser-
vant of God. But things had already gone too
far. For, various miracles having taken place

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THE LIFE OF

at the time of the obsequies, as we shall pres-
ently relate, so universal a commotion was ex-
cited in Borne, that such caution could no longer
be observed, and images and relics had to be
distributed in greal numbers, demanded as they
were with such instance even by persons illus*
trious for their dignity and pre-eminence. Bor
this reason, Father General Vitelleschi ordered
Father Yirgil Cepari to write the life of John;
and upon its completion in 1625, he himself
read it, and instead of the usual formula of ap-
probation, chose to prefix to the work the fol-
lowing most loving testimony of his own.

“ Our blessed Brother John Berehmans was*
truly a youth of remarkable innocence and
purity, of angelic manners, of wonderful devo-
tion, of solid and perfect virtues ; most obser-
vant of our Institute and Buies, and most
exemplary to all who had intercourse with him,
in every place, at all times and on all occasions ;
in so much that we have not found one who
ever observed in him the slightest defect or im-
perfection. And therefore we hope, that this
Life, which I have thoroughly and carefully
read, and which is full of virtuous actions
proper to a singularly observant and perfect
son of the Society, will be the source of great
spiritual help to all who read it, but especially
to our Fathers and Brothers, and will spur

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 241

them on to the acquisition of religious perfec-
tion. And every one may rest assured, that
the virtues and heavenly favors, and all that is
related of him in this history, are true ; since I
myself have seen a great array of learned,
grave, wise and God-fearing persons, who of
their certain knowledge depose to them, and I
have read their depositions. May it please our
Lord to grant us the grace of being able to
imitate him herein ; this was my intention in
causing his Life to be written; and may we
hereafter come to the enjoyment in heaven of
those eternal goods, which, as we piously be-
lieve, he now enjoys. July 18th, 1625. Mutins
Vitellescki .”

CHAPTER H.

Numerous testimonies to the perfection and sanc-
tity of the Blessed John . Of these a splendid
one of Father Oomelius a Lapide is here given .

Being obliged therefore, in execution of the
order given, to compile the Life of the Servant
of God, Father Virgil Cepari applied to the
Fathers of gravest authority in the Roman Col-
lege, and begged of each of them to state in
writing, according to truth and conscience,
every thing virtuous and perfect that they had

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THE LIFE OF

observed in the demeanor and habits of the
angelic youth. This they did; and so by
degrees, counting those of Borne alone and not
including a few others sent from Flanders, about
ninety most beautiful and uniform testimonies
were obtained, which were afterwards inserted
one by one in the first ordinary process. But
still more than the number of these testimonies,
is the character of their authors to be prized ;
men, for the most part, famed for learning, for
prudence, for sanctity of life and spiritual dis-
cretion : such as were at that time, to mention
only a few, Fathers John de Lugo, Cornelius a
Lapide, Famianus Strada, Philip Alegambe,
Francis Piccolomini, John Paul Oliva, Horace
Grassi, Tarqumius Galluzzi, John Baptist
Ceccotti, Bruno Bruni, and Thomas Massucci.
Their testimonies would be well worth intro-
ducing here, did I not fear fatiguing the reader
by repeating what he has already learned in
the preceding history. I shall content myself
with subjoining only that of Father Cornelius
a Lapide, which Father Cepari wished to be
added to all the editions of his Life ; and I will
translate it faithfully from the original Latin
into our own language.

“I have observed, 7 ’ says he, “ in our John
Berchmans, a virginal bashfulness, candor,
modesty, silence, innocence, and purity. Often

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 243

have I heard from ours, that they marvelled
and were unable to say whether greater virtue
existed in Blessed Aloysius, And that they did
not see what could be added to the virtue of
John. He was adorned with a remarkable
humility, by which he yielded to every body.
He always first uncovered his head to all our
lay Brothers, although they may not have
noticed it or returned his salutation. He re-
spected all, not only Superiors, but every one
else, and especially priests. It has many times
happened me, that walking hurriedly in the
winter time on account of the cold in the hall,
and meeting him, he suddenly stopped, Un-
covered his head and remained there immov-
able with humble countenance until I had

I have frequently heard from his Master,
that every month he presented him a note of
the prayers and penances which through grati-
tude he offered to perform for him. He was
dear to all by his affability and sweetness ; and
X have heard no one ever complain of him, or
notice in him any defect, so that he seemed
already ripe for heaven, having in a short time
accomplished a long career of life. He always
wore a pleasant and cheerful countenance;
his speech was frank, his gait quick, but not
hasty. In a word, his manners and his actions

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244

THE LIFE 07

seemed more angelic than human. He attended
to the lamps with wonderful diligence, and
often served in the kitchen. The lay Brothers
and the sick extolled his charity to the skies.
He helped, consoled, respected and served all.
He was inflamed with a fervent spirit of
charity. He was most zealous for obedience
and observance of the Rules. Being sent to me
occasionally by someone, and knocking at my
chamber door, though he heard me say that he
should come in, he remained in silence, and
repeated the knock a second and third time,
till finally I arose and went to the door ; be-
cause he said, that for that time he had not
asked leave to enter my chamber. He often
exercised himself in penances and mortifications,
both private, and public, in the Refectory, as
we ourselves have repeatedly seen. He at-
tended much to prayer, and seemed to be always
in the presence of God ; hence he did every
thing with exactitude and perfection, in so
much that even in the least things there ap-
peared in him beyond others propriety of con-
duct and virtue ; he seemed to be truly a child
of grace. Of his diligence and study an illus-
trious testimony is rendered by his teacher,
who proposed him in the Roman College as the
model of a true student of the Society of Jesus.
And God grant that all may imitate him ! For

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BLESSEÏ) JOHN BKRCHMÀN3, 246

be shone brightly in the Roman College, as a
star shines in the heavens. When after dinner
and supper he stopped to converse with me, he
recreated me in our Lord, by not speaking of
any but religious and spiritual things, and
especially of those that appertain to our
Institute, in regard to which he was most
zealous. A short time before his death, while
visiting Saint Paul’s at the three fountains in
company with me, the whole way he spoke of
nothing but the aforesaid things, and gave a
bright proof of obedience and modesty. For I
desiring to go to Saint Sebastian, and pre-
ceding him a little to induce him to follow me,
there he stood before the church with head
uncovered, with bashfulness and with downcast
eyes making a sign of turning back. I ques-
tioned him upon this; and he with gréât
humility answered me : My Father, we will
not arrive in time for the hour of table, if we
do not return the same way we have come. I
then turned back, and after dinner, thinking
that I wished to return home, be said to me :
Your Reverence can return with another com-
panion, as I have not permission to go back;
wherefore on his account I remained at the
villa till evening. In familiar conversa-
tions, if I had some opinion different from his
own, he was silent, listened and remained

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THE LIFE OF

quiet. He was exceedingly devout to the*
Blessed Virgin, whose son he used to call him.-
self. At death, although inexpert in singing,
he sang most sweetly : Monstra te esse Matrem ;
Show thyself a Mother. To one of our preachers
who begged of him some salutary advice,
within my hearing he said : Let your Reve-
rence defend always the Immaculate Concep-
tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary until death.
A paper was found, subscribed with his own
blood, as is believed, in which he affirms with
an oath, that he would always defend it. Of
his purity, and immunity from all mortal sin
in his whole life, and from all deliberate venial
sin in Religion, and also from carnal emotions,
his Confessor has rendered public testimony
in his funeral oration, which I myself and
others heard.

When about to die he gave no sign of sad-
ness or other affliction, as I have also noticed
at other times during his life ; nay, he was al-
ways resigned, patient, serene, and tranquil.
A little before he received the Viaticum, I
asked him in secret if he had any thing which
disturbed him and afflicted his mind ; and he
with open hands and with erect brow smiling,
asserted, that nothing whatever disturbed him.
Then speaking to himself, and burning with
fever, he asked for some water to cool his

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BLESSED 'JOHN BEKCHMANS.

247

mouth and hands ; and I gave it to him in a
cup. I asked him if the fever tormented him.
He answered that it did, but in such a manner
that he uttered no audible groan, nor gave any
indication of pain ; he then took the syrup, and
immediately requested me to return thanks, as
if he had supped. I recited the grace, while he
remained attentive and made the answers ; and
then discoursing on devout subjects, I suggested
to him to say : Jesus meus , amor meus , et omnia ;
My Jesus , my love and my all: rejoicing, be
replied: u Yes, yes: Jesus centrum cordis , Deus
cordis mei, et pars mea Deus in æternum ; Jesus
is the centre of my heart , the God of my heart , and
God is my portion forever ; and he repeated what
he had heard from the Father Rector: Puer
meus, noli timere, quia ego tecum sum, dicit Do -
minus : si transieris per ignem, flamma non noce -
hit tihi, et odor ignis non erit in te : liherabo te de
manu pessimorum , et eruam te de manu fortium.
My child, fear not, for I am with thee, saith the
Jjord? if thou pass through fire, the flame shall
not hurt thee, and the smell of the fire shall not
he in thee: I will deliver thee out of the hand of
the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand
of the mighty. I inquired of him if he desired
any thing ; and his answer was, that I should
celebrate holy Mass for him the next day. I
did so, but did not obtain what I desired, that

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248 ; THE LIFE OF

is to say, his cure, but what he desired, that is,
to die and be with Jesus Christ in heaven ; for
he expired at the end of the Mass. Pray for
me, O my Father, he added, that I may not be-
come disgusted with these sweet things which
are given me : and he obtained vrhat he desired*
for soon after he was reduced to extremity.
Ours distinctly recommended themselves to
him when about to die, begging of him some
advice, which he gave to each of them so ap-
propriately, that some remarked, that he could
not have given them any counsel more suitable
to them if he had penetrated into the secrets of
their consciences. So great was the concourse
of externs at his funeral, that it became neces-
sary to employ guards; and notwithstanding
this they carried off his beretta, his slippers,
his cross, his Rosary, and even his habit. It
seemed to me that I saw once more in Rome
the concourse at the funeral of St. Alexius.
Many are continually asking for his relics, and
not a few confess that they have obtained favors
from God by means of them. But I esteem
still more the affection of love and piety, which
after his death infused itself into the entire Col-
lege, as if inspired by God through the merits
of his Servant. .

It is with difficulty that I burst into tears;
yet when in the church I looked upon his

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

249 *

countenance I could not restrain them, and
therefore I turned away my face from him, that
I might be able to go on with the office of the
dead. Often is he present to my mind, and I
seem to behold him before me day and night.
Nor am I terrified at this; on the contrary,
filled with a spiritual joy, I feel myself in-
flamed to serve God more ardently. Nor can
I induce myself to pray for him deceased, but
rather I desire that he should pray for me, and
that my soul may one day be with his. Ah,
yes! may my soul live and die, as lived and
died the beautiful soul of John. Many cannot
satisfy themselves with speaking of him. God
grant, that there remains in us a holy memory
of him, which we may often consider and emu-
late. He was a youth in age, but in virtue he
was advanced; constant, always the same;
exact, but not scrupulous; cheerful, but mode-
rate, and he tempered cheerfulness itself with
religious gravity. He made such account of
time, that he was never seen idle, but always
occupied, always serious. Not to take away
time from his studies, he sometimes shortened
the recreation he took with me, though pleasant
and devout, and after the fashion of a lay
brother, girding himself with an apron he then
attended to his lamps, in order not to be obliged
to spend therein any time destined to study.

♦

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* 250 THE LIFE OF

His laugh was moderate without discomposure ;
he had wit without wounding any one, he had
grace of manners without affectation. The
saying of the Apostle was appropriate to him:
Sermo vester semper in gratia sale sit conditus ;

Let your speech he always in grace seasoned with
salt. I do not remember to have ever heard
from his mouth an idle word, and much less
one that was offensive to any body. He thought
well of all and spoke of them with honor;
never have I seen him melancholy, never in a
passion ; nor was he therefore slow in working,
or indolent, but on the contrary diligent and
expeditious. He publicly defended the whole
of philosophy with great praise for learning
and modesty. He venerated the Saints to a
wonderful degree ; he had chosen several of
them as his protectors, distributing them alter-
nately for each week ; and once he repeated to
me the catalogue and order of them. He had
no particular affection for any one, but his love
was the same and common to all. In recreation
he joined with whomsoever he met first, and *
often and willingly with the Brothers, who
still eulogize his spirit. He entertained great
things in his mind. He desired to live and die
in the encampments, assisting the soldiers who
fought for the faith, as another soldier, nay, as
the standard-bearer of Christ. He foretold his

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BLESSEP JOHN BRRCHMANS. 2ÔÎ

death and the combat he sustained in it, and
generously overcame ; then recovering his
breath, which he had lost, joyfully sighing to-
wards heaven, he placidly and holily expired
in the Lord. He wished to be placed on the
ground ; and then he received the holy Viati-
cum, previously protesting that he desired to
live and die in the Catholic faith, in the Society,
&c. He asked for the Rules of the Society,
saying that he had never deliberately trans-
gressed any of them. He held the cross in his
hand, and not being able to hold it up any
longer, another held it before him, and whith-
ersoever the latter moved it, he followed it
with his eyes and with his mind. Some grave
personages used to come to the schools and to
church, solely to admire his modesty and piety.
I met him ordinarily, when I went up to the
school, and I always saw him with a serious
countenance that breathed joy ; and even now,
looking upon his image, it seems to me that he
excites joy by his merits and mediation with
God. In a word he was, both for me and others,
a continual mirror and spur to the exercise of
virtues. God grant, that on the last and great
day of judgment, I may rise again with him to
glory, and that, before the throne of God and
of the immaculate Angel, I may deserve to
raise my head at his feet. Amen.

Cornelius a Lapide

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CHAPTER m.

God manifests to several persons the glory of his

Servant .

Such then was the idea which all entertained of
the virtue and perfection of John ; and God, al-
ways wonderful in his Saints, soon designed to
confirm and augment this opinion, by manifest-
ing through special revelations, accompanied
by numerous miracles, the high post of glory,
which, in accordance with his merits, his faith-
ful servant had already attained in heaven.

At the time that John passed from this life,
there was in the infirmary of the Roman Col-
lege, as a convalescent, a lay Brother of the So-
ciety, Thomas di Simone, a Perugian, who died
some months afterwards. This man was very
humble and simple, a contemner of himself, and
dear to God by his religious virtues. All the
time that was left him from his ordinary occu^
pations, whether by day or by night, he spent
in prayer ; and «not unfrequently he was therein
favored by God with supernal illuminations of
mind, and by the most holy Virgin with vari.
ous apparitions. :

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BLESSED JOHN BEBCHMANS. 253

On the night immediately following the deaths
of John, between seven and eight o’clock, being
according to his custom in prayer, he saw all
at once the heavens open, and from a lofty
throne of clouds full of light he beheld descend-
ing the most glorious Mother of God, the Queen
of Angels, who with great exultation and un-
usual joy was borne on a chair of majesty by
two celestial personages. One of those who
carried it wore a supplice ; but the person of the
Blessed Virgin hindered Thomas from seeing
his face in passing; he did not therefore know
who he was, but it occurred to his mind that it
was the Blessed Aloysius. The other, who was
on the side nearest him, he saw distinctly, and
knew perfectly; it was Brother John Berch-
mans, who was clothed after the manner of the
Jesuits, most modest in countenance, and with
great joy and contentment. Passing rapidly
across, they seemed to him to enter as if into a
spacious field, where were many glorious and
happy souls, to whom the most holy Virgin with
great jubilee and joy exhibited the new acquisi-
tion she had made in the glory of Paradise, of
this her beloved servant and son, in order that
they might rejoice with her thereupon and
make a feast of the occasion. When this
vision, had disappeared, Thomas remained much
consoled and assured, that John enjoyed great

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THE LIFE OF

glory in Paradise, and was tenderly caressed
by the Mother of God. He related all to the
Father Rector, as his Superior, for the glory of
God and of his servant John.*

Not only in Rome, but also in distant coun-
tries did God wish to make known the glory of
this blessed youth. There lived in Mantua, in
great esteem for sanctity, a lady, D. Margaret
Rossi, a Florentine, who held the office of
maid in waiting to the pious Duchess Eleanora
Medici. From her earliest years she had con-
secrated her virginity to God by vow ; and now
at the age of about seventy years she was lead-
ing in the midst of the court a very devout and
spiritual life. This virgin, on the morning of
the 16th of August, 1621, came to the College
of the Society, and having sent for Father
Alexander Caprara, her confessor, she said to
him : One of your young men, who is a Saint,
has died in a distant place : there was a great
concourse of people at his obsequies, and by his
relics God operates many miracles. The Father
answering that he knew nothing of this, she
added: You will see that you will be written
to concerning this matter. Some days having
elapsed, Father Caprara received from Lucca,
a letter from Father Paul Bambino, which in-
formed him, that on the I3th of August, a

* Bx. MSS. P. Virgilii Cepari.

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 255

young scholastic of ours, named John Berch-
ihans, had died in the Roman College, and that
his death had been glorified by God with a great
concourse of people and by miraculous favors;
Considering, however, that Margaret could not
have known such things by any human means,
the Father desired to examine her more for-
mally, and to hear from her the whole matter.

She said, that on the night between the feast
of the Assumption and of St. Roch, that is, be-
tween the 15th and 16th of August, having
finished her accustomed mental prayer at eight
o’clock, she wished then to say the matins of the
Blessed Virgin, as she usually did the day be-
fore; and in the meantime she was rapt out of
herself and conducted by a young man to à
distant place into a church, where there was à
gréât gathering of people for a deceased youth
of ours, who was on a bier, clothed in white,
and honored as a Saint. She did not see him
perform miracles ; but she distinctly saw that a
Father was writing in the sacristy, and one of
our young men, who .had charge of the bier,
was going backwards and forwards relating
some things that were occurring ; she thought
that miracles were written down.* She re-

* It was true, that in the Sacristy a Flemish Father
.waB noting in writing the favors which took place, as they
were related to him by a young student.

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THS LIFS OF

mained in this rapture till about ten o’clock ;
and then returning to herself, she found her
strength exhausted, as if she had accomplished a
long journey. Then reciting the office of the
Holy Virgin, she experienced in herself great
consolation, that one of the young men of the
Society was so honored by God. After she
had related all this, her Father Confessor read
to her the letter he had received from Lucca ;
the pious lady returned many thanks to God
for having made her a partaker in such, a
vision, and begged the Father to obtain for her
a little piece of the clothing of John; and she
received it soon after from Father Virgil Cepari,
Rector of the Roman College, to whom she
afterwards wrote, that God had operated many
miracles by means of that relic.*

Similar to this was the favor which a pious
virgin of Rouen in France received from God.
On the night of 13th of August she also was
rapt in spirit, and saw a young scholastic of
the Society, who lay dead before the altar, and
bis soul was glorious in ^eaven, and equal both
in merit and in reward, to the Blessed Aloysius.
She did not know of what young man of ours
this vision was to be understood, for she could
not apply it to any one of those who were then

* Ex. MSS. P. Virgilii Cepari, et ex Epist. P. Alexandri
C&pr&ra.

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BLESSED JOHN BEECH HANS. 257

present in the College of Rouen. It happened
a short time after, that two Fathers passed
there, who were going to Flanders and who
carried in a casket the heart of John Berch-
mans. The devout virgin knowing nothing
of the arrival of the Fathers, repaired to the
College, at an hour to her unusual, to make
known to the Father Rector, her confessor, a
certain trouble and affliction of mind, which
tormented her. On this occasion having heard
the account of the arrival of the two Fathers
and of the relic of which they were the bearers,
she was permitted to see and to kiss it: in-
stantly she felt all her trouble and affliction
vanish, and her heart was filled with incom-
parable consolation; so that when she had
entered the church and put herself in prayer,
she was wholly dissolved in the most tender
tears of devotion ; and during this it seemed to
her that she heard a voice, which said to her,
that this was the heart of that young man,
whom she had already seen in her vision. She
desired to call her confessor again, to make
known to him what had happened ; but as it
was already dark, she concluded to return home.
But in leaving the church she found herself
impeded to such a degree, that she could not
proceed a single step further; and in the mean-
time, the Father Rector meeting her, beyond,

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$58 THE LIFE OF :

all expectation, she related the fact to him in
full, and felt herself free from all impediment.
On her return home, she placed herself in
prayer, and saw, more clearly than before, the
glory and beatitude, which the Blessed John
Berchmans enjoyed in heaven; by whose in-
tercession she now obtained from God a par-
ticular grace, which she had so long prayed for
without effect. This whole matter is found
recorded in the annals of the College of Rouen ;
and the account of it was sent in various ways
from France to the Father Rector of the Roman
College, subscribed both by the Father con-
fessor and by the virgin herself.*

CHAPTER IY.

Miracles which took place at the time of the

obsequies.

Let ns now proceed to the miracles wrought,
giving the first place to those which occurred
at the time that the obsequies of the Blessed
youth were taking place in the church of the
Roman College. And first of all I will tran-
scribe a fact in the very words in which it was

* All this account, as well as the two preceding, is
Father Cepari’s : the letter, with the original subscrip-
tions of the Rector of Rouen and of the pious lady, is
still preserved.

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narrated by one who was not only an eye-
witness, but also a party to what transpired.
“ Catharine du Recati, a woman of seventy-eight
years of age, who was blind of both eyes,
having heard that a scholastic of the Society
of Jesus had died in the Roman College with
the reputation and opinion of sanctity, came
to the church during the time of the obsequies,
with the purpose and desire of approaching the
body of the deceased, and of touching her eyes
with his hands or clothes, hoping to receive aid
and a remedy for her blindness. But as the
concourse of people, which was almost count*
less, did not permit a near approach, she was
unable to put her good desire into execution,
and was forced to return home afflicted and
disconsolate. It pleased our good Lord, for the
advantage of this poor blind woman and for
the exaltation of his holy Servant, that on the
following day, which was the 14th of August,
she should visit the house of the lady Victoria
Altieri, who, moved by the fame of his sanctity,
was desirous of seeing the body of the youth,
to which sepulture had not yet been given, in
order to satisfy many of the principal ladies,
and amongst others that most noble lady the
Duchess Sforza. Upon this the desire of the
poor blind one, of doing what she had been
unable to accomplish the day before, was

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renewed within her, and she said : Oh 1 if I

too could go and see the body of this holy
youth, I would hope to receive some favor for
my eyes. The lady Victoria took her into the
carriage with her and brought her to the church.
Immediately Catharine had herself conducted
to the bier, on which lay the deceased; and
stating that she wished to touch her eyes with
something appertaining to the Servant of God,
she was told by one of the Society who was
present, to take the fingers of the dead and
touch her eyes with them. She did so, and in-
stantly exclaimed : I am cured ; I see. She

repeated the touch, and recovered her sight
entirely ; for at the proof made of it she could
really see and discern the most minute objects.
There were present at the miracle, Lorenzo and
Lady Victoria Altieri, Maria Testa, and Sera-
fina Maneini, who uniformly testify, that the
said Catharine w r as blind, and that what is here
written is true.

And I, Aloysius Spinola of the Society of
Jesus, have written this account, as I was pres-
ent on the occasion, and was the one who said
to the woman : take the fingers of the deceased
in your hand and touch your eyes with them.
For all of which be praise and glory to God, to
the Blessed Virgin, and to the good John Berch-
mans for ever and ever. Amen.”*

* Proc. Ordin. Rom. page 268.

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Arsilia Altissimi of Tivoli, a lady of great
perfection and singularly favored by God, had
been suffering for several days with a most
acute pain in the side, which drove sleep from
her eyes and allowed her no repose. As she
resided near the Roman College, having heard
the bells tolling for the dead on the morning of
the 13th of August, 1621, she called to her her
daughters Victoria and Anna, and placing her-
self with them before the oratory, where she
was accustomed to pray : Let us, she said, recite
a De profundis for this Father, who must have'
died in the College. Thrice did she force her-
self to begin the prayer; and^thrice, in place
of the De profundis , the Te Deum rushed into
her mind and upon her tongue ; and the same
thing happened to her two daughters. Aston-
ished at this, she arose and said: Some great
servant of God has expired in the College. At the
same time she felt engendering in her heart a
lively desire of seeing him, and a firm confi-
dence of being cured of her malady through
his intercession. The evening of the same day,
accompanied and supported by her daughters,
with great difficulty and much suffering, she
reached our church, when a great number of
people were still assembled. Approaching the
corpse, she was seized with an internal move-
ment of spirit, it appearing to her, as she said,

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that she saw an Angel of heaven. Shé placed
her handkerchief over the face of the dead ; she
then applied it to her side, and in that instant
was free from all pain and perfectly cured.
Grateful for the benefit received, she of her own
will committed all the facts to writing at that
time, and the year following deposed to them
upon oath in the Process, which was compiled
in Borne on the virtues and miracles of John
Berchmans.*

Before the funeral rites, many scholars, who
’ desired to have a good view of the body of
John, were admitted into the church by the
door of the hou^e. Among these was a noble
youth of fifteen years, a boarder in the Eoman
Seminary, who was much esteemed by all for his
wisdom, goodness, and purity of life. Having
approached quite near to the deceased, he re-
mained a good while motionless, regarding him
fixedly with indiscribable pleasure. He re-
turned several times to the same spot, while
the Fathers were reciting the office ; and at one
time standing, at another kneeling, he stopped
a long time to look with delight upon the body
of John, and seemed unable to withdraw him-
self from the sight. The ceremony having
terminated ; he finally returned to the house,
and having arrived there, he with much sim-
* Ex Relat. autogr. et ex Proc. Ordin. Rom.

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plicity and ingenuousness asked the Perfect,
why the Fathers had put those diamonds on
John’s forehead. The Perfect answering, that
there were none there, the youth reasserted that
he had certainly seen two diamonds placed over
the eyebrows of the deceased, and moreover a
most vivid splendor around his head. The
Perfect judging this to be something super-
natural, requested the youth to relate the fact
to Father Francis Piccolomini ; but becoming
aware of the estimation in which his account
was held, he through modesty withdrew, and was
unwilling to say any more. The Prefect did
not deem it proper to let this matter pass, and
betimes the next morning he was in the Col-
lege to relate it to Father Virgil Cepari, in-
forming him at the same time that this youth
reposed great confidence in a certain Father of
the College, to whom he believed he would tell
it. The Father Rector thereupon commis-
sioned this Father to interrogate the youth
adroitly about it, as he did that very day : and
the boy, with modest blushes, again affirmed
as true, that he had seen over the eyebrows
and eyes of John some jewels of the greatest
brilliancy, and around his head a halo of most
vivid light which dazzled his eyes ; and that
on this account he had conceived a special de-
votion to him. It seems as if God had wished

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by this to show the accidental glory which
John enjoyed on account of the singular mod-
esty of his eyes, which all agree in saying was
in him most remarkable.*

CHAPTER Y.

Favors and miracles operated in behalf of the Re-
ligious of the Society in Italy .

It is impossible to express to what an extent
these miraculous manifestations, with which
God glorified his Servant immediately after
death, increased his reputation and enlivened
confidence in him, especially among the Reli-
gious of the Society of Jesus, who had more
nearly looked with admiring gaze upon the
holy life and consummate perfection of John.
For three months Father John Baptist de Ruschi
had been lying ill in the infirmary of the Ro-
man College, attacked by a continual and slow
fever, which was little by little wasting his
strength. All the remedies of medical art
having failed, he was declared an incurable
consumptive. To this was added, in the Au-
gust of 1621, a most severe pain in the head,
which gave him neither peace nor rest, and
brought him to death’s door. It was at this
* All this account is F. ÇeparFs.

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time that the Blessed John died, and instantly
the report spread of the miraculous favors ob-
tained through his intercession, while his corpse
was still present in the church. Animated
therefore with a firm confidence, Father John
Baptist asked for a relic of the Servant of God,
and placed it with great devotion under his
pillow: on the instant the pain in his head
ceased. His fever still remained, and was so
far from abating, that it seemed to have ac-
quired new strength. Then, says he, in his
attestation, the mattress on which died John of
holy memory was placed under me ; and it was
a wonderful thing, that from that time forward
I had no farther attack of fever, I regained my
strength, and arose from my bed completely
restored ; and several months have since elapsed,
during which I have enjoyed perfect health;
In faith of all which, I have written and sub-
scribed to the present attestation with my own
hand, this 9th day of December, 1621, render-
ing thanks for all to God our Lord, and to his
Servant John, through whose intercession I
believe that I have obtained this favor.*

A young scholastic of ours, named Julius
Rettabene, after long and complicated maladies
which succeeded each other, was also attacked
by a high fever, accompanied by dangerous
* Ex Relat. authént. et ux Proc. Ordin. Rom. fol. 300:

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and fatal symptoms. He suffered in addition
violent qualms of stomach, and a stricture of
the throat of such a nature, that he suffered the
pains of death every time he swallowed a little
food or drink. Given up by the physicians, he
disposed himself to receive the last sacraments
and prepare for death, which he anticipated as
assuredly near at hand. A Father who con-
tinually attended him, moved to compassion
for him, suggested to him at a happy moment to
recommend himself to the dear John Berch-
mans, who had just passed to a better life, and
who had commenced operating miraculous
favors both within and out of the house. Julius
thereupon assuming courage and confidence,
with great tenderness of devotion exclaimed:
w O good John, aid me, thou, who seest how
much I suffer.” Scarcely had he pronounced
these words, when he was able to take a most
placid repose of half an hour : then entertain^
hag the hope of obtaining a complete cure, he
caused the relic of the heart of John to be
brought near his bed, and with much feeling
prayed thus : “ If it be for the greater glory of
God and the salvation of my soul, obtain for
me erf his divine Majesty the desired health:
otherwise give me strength and patience to sup-
port my pains to the last.” Having finished
this brief prayer, he took the relic into his

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hand, kissed it, and placed it near him. The
effect which followed, was, that his fever and
pains ceased, and in a very short time he re-
gained his strength and recovered his health
perfectly, as he himself deposed, and other
eye-witnesses confirmed the statement.*

Very similar to this is the favor which
another religious of the Society received, shortly
after John’s death ; and it will be perhaps better
to hear the succinct account of it from his own
lips : “ I, Louis Gabrieli of Fano, a religious
of the Society of Jesus, finding myself ill of à
very dangerous fever, which was growing ma-
lignant, with à most acute pain of the head,
and at the same time with much fear for my
life, and having heard the account of the many
favors and miracles which God our Lord had
wrought in many persons, by the invocation of
his servant John Berchmans of our Society,
who died in the Roman College on the 13th of
August in the order of sanctity ; whilst I was
in the height of the fever, and suffering a pain
in the head more severe than usual, I recom-
mended myself to the Venerable John, promis-
ing him, if he cured me, that I would strive to
be devout to him, to honor him, and to pro-
claim his virtues to all. On this, the pain in
my head vanished at once, insomuch that I did

* Proc. Ordin. Rom. foi, 231, 302, 303.

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not trust myself, and shook my bead to see
whether it were true that it did not pain me.
Moreover the fever, which was still at its
height, ceased, and returned no more ; I then
regained my strength to such a degree, that
rising from bed without any assistance, I went
to the desk, fell upon my knees, and returned
thanks to the Lord God and to his servant
John for the favor received. In faith whereof
I have written the present attestation with my ,
own hand, to the praise and glory of God and
of his servant John, this 9th day of December,
1621.”*

Lorenzo Mori, a Lay Brother of the Society,
was attacked about the 24th of June, 1621, with
so great a pain in the head, accompanied by a
slight fever, that he went out of his mind and
became completely delirious. He remained in
this condition for fifteen days, after which he
rallied somewhat, but only for a short time:
relapsing then into the same malady worse than
before, after having uselessly tried many and
various remedies^ for an entire month, he was
judged incurable. Nevertheless, before giving
him up, the physician, importuned by those of
the house, ordered him a certain medicine, I
know not what. But the evening preceding
the morning on which he was to take it, he

* Ex Relat. «utheüt.

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was urged by the infirmarian to recommend
himself to John Berchmans, who had died a
few days before, and was now working won-
ders. The sick man agreed, and though he
had been till that hour unable to close his eyes,
he suddenly fell asleep and rested tranquilly.
When morning came, he felt himself so well,
that he judged the medicine to be no longer
necessary ; he nevertheless took it, saying within
himself, that it could do him no harm. He
could not, however, retain it, and immediately
rejected it, remaining notwithstanding entirely
well. Three days after he was awake during
the night, with such violent pains in the head,
that he greatly feared relapsing into his former
condition. But having resumed his sleep, he
seemed to behold four of the Society, and
amongst them a most beautiful youth, whom he
supposed to be John Berchmans, whose relic
he kept near him. The latter looking fixedly
upon him, said with a smile: You were afraid
then, were you ? And having placed his hand
on the head of the sick man, he recommended
to him the exact observance of the Buies, and
disappeared, leaving him entirely cured.*
Father John de Angelis was reduced to a
still worse state in the College of Sezze. He
had been suffering for six years with the gout;

* Proc. Ordin. Rom. fbl. 307, 320, 395.

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and in 1627 the disease increased to snch a*
degree, that not being able to maintain himself
upon his feet, he was forced to lie in bed for a
long time, attacked by the most violent pains.
He had already lost all feeling in the right
arm, and in addition to this, his legs, knees,
and stomach became unusually swollen; and
his condition threatened to terminate in the
dropsy with an obstinate obstruction of the
liver. The physicians employed all their skill
and industry, at least to mitigate the violence
of so many diseases united; but all availed
nothing. Then the sick man having nothing
more to hope for from human remedies, turned
with lively faith to implore the aid of heaven,-
invoking the intercession of Venerable Berch-
mans, whom he had known in the Roman Col-
lege, and to whom he bore a great affection.
To him therefore he recommended himself from
his heart ; and in that very instant he found
himself free from his disorders, and arose from
his bed in better health, than that which he had
enjoyed before his sickness. The news of a
cure so sudden and so perfect spread through
the city, and formed for a long time a great
theme of glory to God and of exaltation to his
servants.*

The Blessed John having been, during his
* Proc. Ordin. Set in. in Roman, compulsât.

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life, not. only an admirer, but a most faithful
imitator of the angelic Saint Aloysius Gonzaga,
God was pleased that they should frequently
concur in rendering aid to their clients. Mem-
orable is the cure of Joseph Spinelli, a young
man of twenty-two years of age, who was
struck with apoplexy in the College of Palermo,
where he was pursuing his theological studies.
The narrative of this fact, with all its most
minute circumstances, is given at full length
by the continuators of the Bollandus in the
acts of Saint Aloysius. I shall content myself
with presenting here a very brief summary of
it. After his apoplexy, then, young Spinelli,
being left speechless and paralyzed, received
the last sacraments, expecting death from hour
to hour. His mental faculties, however, were
still perfect, and he had recourse to the inter,
cession of Saint Aloysius, to whom he was
most devout. On the night of the 11th of Feb-
ruary, 1634, Blessed Aloysius appeared to him
accompanied by the Venerable Berchmans, and
turning towards him most" lovingly, inquired
what he wished of him. Joseph answered,
speech and health, should such be God’s plea-
sure. Aloysius said to him: you shall have
both ; and then added : Be of good heart and
arm yourself with courage, for a long career
remains before you. He then predicted to him

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the journeys and toils he would have to sustain
in going to and laboring amongst idolatrous
nations. Not long after this first apparition
Joseph was overtaken with a sweet sleep, in
which the two angelic youths were before him
again. Berchmans held a cup in his hand;
Aloysius, after having spoken for some time to
the sick man, animating him to perfection, to
make good use of his speech, and to meet
generously' for Christ’s sake the fatigues which
awaited him, desired him to renew the vow he
had made some days before of fasting on his
vigil and practising certain other devotions.
He then dipped his finger in the cup and made
the sign of the cross on Joseph’s tongue. The
latter awaking exclaimed in a loud voice : “ O

Blessed Aloysius !” and thus he first regained
his speech. About four days having elapsed,
Berchmans appeared to him in a dream, and
told him that the time had now arrived for his
entire cure, and that therefore he should re-
commend himself from his heart to Blessed
Aloysius. The sick man did so ; and the night
following he saw again the two holy youths
together. Berchmans had again his health-
bearing cup, and Aloysius, after having given
some counsels to Joseph, dipped his finger in
the vase, and with the sign of the cross anointed
his legs, side and arm. Berchmans reverently

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BLESSED* JOHN BERCHMANS. 273

wiped the anointed parts, and Aloysius turning
towards the sick person, said : “rise up, for thou
art well ; keep thy promises and make thyself
a saint.” Saying this, the heavenly benefactors
disappeared, and Joseph, awaking, exclaimed:
“ I am cured. I have no more sickness.” He arose
immediately from bed, and full of vigor and
strength went down into the church, where he
served mass and received holy communion.
On the completion of his studies he was made
priest, and, according to his vow, asked to go to
the missions of Indi£, and was sent to the
Philippine Islands, where he lived and labored
many years like an apostle, and terminated his
life by a holy death.*

CHAPTER VI.

Favors and miracles wrought in behalf of his
relations and countrymen .

The Blessed John was as lavish of favors to
those united to him by blood and by the ties
of a common country, as he was to the religious
of the Society. He had an aunt, named Mary
Berchmans, who from her tenderest years had
dedicated herself to God in a congregation of
pious ladies, who in Flanders, where they are,

* Ex Proc. Ordin. Panormit.

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still flourishing, are called Béguins. From
thirteen to fourteen years she was afflicted with
a flux of blood, which at certain given periods
continued to flow, for fifteen or more days, even
from her mouth and nose. Reduced thus to
extreme weakness, she was obliged for the most
part to lie in bed, and to pass many days in a
total prostration of strength, which she was not
able to restore by taking even the least food.
To this were afterwards added most acute pains
in the head, which deprived her of her reason,
and caused her to ravë like a maniac. The
physicians of greatest reputation in the Univer-
sity of Louvain were consulted, and after
having vainly employed all the remedies their
skill could suggest, unanimously declared, that
no further hopes were to be entertained of the
cure of the invalid. Having passed thus many
years in continual distress and with most
edifying resignation to the will of God, Mary
received the news of the happy death of John,
her nephew, which took place in Rome on the
13th of August, 1621 ; she was also informed of
the miracles which God wrought by his inter-
cession, and of the relic of the heart, which had
been brought from Rome to Louvain. In con-
sequence the desire of miraculously recovering
her health was aroused within her; and having
procured an image of her dear nephew, she

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placed it devoutly beside her bed. The disease
nevertheless, so far from giving way, increased
beyond measure, and the pious lady prepared
herself for death by the reception of the holy
Viaticum and Extreme Unction. When re-
duced to this state, she one night thought she
saw the servant of God, who, stretching forth
his right arm from the image, and as it were
appoaching her with a countenance full of love
and pity, said to her : “ You, dear aunt, shall be
free # from your infirmity.” On hearing this,
she rallied, and promised in token of gratitude
to her benefactor, to present to our College in
Louvain a heart of wax, and two torches also
of virgin wax ; and she found herself perfectly
cured. She fulfilled her vow, and before the
Parish Priest of Saint Sulpice of the city of
Diest she deposed on oath to the whole fact of
her miraculous cure.*

A little daughter of the nobleman Everard
Pipenpay having been attacked by a violent
and malignant fever, her mother had recourse
to the intercession of John : and in a very short
time the good parents obtained the favor they
desired. So also, a youth named Sixtus, the
son of Mr. Vander Laen, who was brought to
the very point of death under the force of a

* Ex deposit, iurata in oppido Diest ; et ex Proo. Ordin.
Antuerp.

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raging fever, recovered his health instanta-
neously, by lighting two candles before the
image of John, and reciting a few prayers in
his honor.*

Rainer Hautmans, a student of theology in
the College of Louvain, at the commencement
of the Easter vacation in the year 1623, fell
dangerously ill. His sickness growing worse
every day, by good chance he happened to be
present when Father Leonard Lessius was
reading some letters which had just arrived
from Rome, in which it was related, how the
servant of God, John Berchmans, had after his
death, aided his clients with miraculous favors,
and that the Sovereign Pontiff Gregory XY.
had given orders that juridical investigations
should be made regarding his life and virtues.
On hearing this he felt springing up in his
heart a firm confidence of obtainjpg by this
means a speedy cure, and that too so as not to
disarrange his studies. He promised John to
be singularly devout to him, and recommended
himself to him with ardent affection. * He was
heard according to his desires; for on the
morning of the Monday after Low Sunday, on
which day the schools are resumed, he re-
covered on the instant, and was able to prose-
cute his studies with the others as before.f

* Ex attestât, in Proc. Ordin. Antuerpiens.

f Ex attestât. Ibid .

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It was perhaps this favor which gave courage , .
to Andrew Van Boeregen to seek a similar one
for himself. In the October of the same year,
1623, he was seized in Louvain with a fever,
which becoming tertian, was gradually wasting
his strength. He too had recourse to John,
and .promised to recite every day five Paters
and Aves before his image. Having pro-
nounced his vow with great tenderness of affec-
tion, which caused him to shed abundant tears,
he fell into a placid sleep, and as soon as he
awoke he knew that he was entirely cured.
He presented himself before the ecclesiastical
tribunal, and deposed upon oath to the favor
received*

Father Anthony de Greef, also a religious of
the Society, escaped, thanks to the Blessed
John, not from sickness, but from imminent
danger of being imprisoned or put to death.
He was a missionary apostolic in the United
Provinces of Holland, and was exercising the
sacred ministry in Nimega, while that city was
occupied by a strong garrison of heritics, who
through hatred to religion were hunting down
Catholic priests. Being obliged one night to
go out of the house, whether to assist a sick
person, or for some other urgent necessity of
his office, I am unable to say ; he fell in with a
* Ex attestât, in Proc. Ordin. Antuerpiens.*

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heretic soldier, who, recognizing him for what
he was, grasped him suddenly by the arm, and
threatened to bring him as a prisoner before
the officer on duty. In this strait the Father
could do nothing else than raise his mind to
God, and place himself under the protection of
John Berchmans, whom he invoked interiorly
with great confidence. At that very moment
a young man of most beautiful aspect, who in
bis features was Berchmans himself, made his
appearance, and turning to the soldier, with a
firm voice, said to him : “ let go this man, for
he is a good citizen;” and the assailant left him
free, and took his departure. The Father was
desirous of thanking his noble benefactor, but
much as nis eye searched for him about the
public square in which he was, he could see no
one. He then continued on his way, thanking
God and his Servant, and afterwards testified
before the Bishop of Ruremonda to what had
happened to him on that occasion.*

I conclude by citing another attestation,
which I find in the Roman ordinary Process :
“We, the municipal authorities of the city of
Diest in Brabant, and in the arch-diocese of
Malines, at the instance of the Reverend Fathers
of the Society of Jesus in Louvain, attest that
the devout lady, Anna Ylaeyen, aged about
« * Ex attestât. Episcopi Ruremondeu.

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seventy-five years, appeared before us, and
upon oath declared, that sixty years before, some
lads having met together in the house of her
parents, Philip Ylaey en and Catharine Vanpant-
egen, situated opposite the convent of the Ceno-
bites, as they were gathering powder to load
some pieces of artillery, it happened that a
quantity of it, which had been placed in a
corner of a room near the kitchen, and over
which hung an image of the Venerable John
Berchmans of the Society of Jesus, accidentally
took fire, and greatly damaged the whole
house. The passage leading to the room came
down in pieces, as well ' as the walls, and the
ceiling above. The window-frames were wrench-
ed from their places, and every pane of glass
was broken; the pewter plates and all the
copper vessels that were in the kitchen, were
thrown to the ground, and all the images in
that room, ruined and shattered, except that of
the Blessed John Berchmans, which, though
hanging immediately above the powder, still
remained suspended by a cord to the wall and
without sustaining any injury. And what is
still more wonderful is, that a servant of Mr.
Van Budinghen, who happened to be in the
same room, was thrown to the ground and
taken thence as. dead, after those of the house
had extinguished with beer the fire which waô

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near his clothes; and the same accident hap-
pened to a maid-servant who was going up
stairs carrying in her bands some bottles of
beer. But neither the one nor the other suf-
fered any harm either then or afterwards. All
of which things were always regarded both by
those then present and by others who afterwards
heard them related, in the light of a miracle,
wrought through the intercession and merits
of the Venerable John Berchmans. And in
testimony of the truth we have ordered that
this attestation be subscribed by one of our
Secretaries, and be authenticated with our seal,
this 13th day of February, 1742.”*

CHAPTER VII.

* His special protection of Virgins consecrated to
God.

The protection of the Blessed John extended
to Virgins consecrated to God has been at all
times extraordinary. Numerous are the favors
conferred by him upon them : and I would
protract this life to an unusual length, were I
to relate merely those which have been authen-
ticated by public documents and deposed to
under oath in the various Processes. I shall
* Relat. coinpuls. in Proc. Ordin. Roman.

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select only a few, which I shall arrange, not
according to their date or their nature, but
consulting rather variety for the greater interest
of the reader.

Sister Mary Perpétua Ruis, Oblate in the '
Monastery of Torre di Specchi at Rome, in the
year 1628, had been for a month confined to her
bed with a constant fever, and so far was she
from hoping soon to be freed from it, that she
had made up her mind to continue in the same
condition until God would relieve her. How-
ever, she experienced some grief that she was
not able to keep the lent or apply to her ordi-
nary duties in the monastery. It opportunely
occurred to her to implore the intercession of
the Blessed John Berchmans, one of whose
relics she had ; and at the same time she wrote
to Father Yirgil Cepari, Rector of the Roman
College, entreating him kindly to recommend
her to the Servant of God, with whom he had
been so intimate and influential, as his superior
and confessor. The Father replied that he
would do so with great pleasure. The result „
is given in her own words: “The following

morning, at the time the fever usually seized
me, I began and continued for three hours to
perspire: I then arose from bed* and found
myself in perfect health and without any fever.”
She continues to say that she was able, as she

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desired, to observe the lent very strictly and to
perform all the duties and austerities prescribed
by her rule.*

“The truth is,” deposes Sister Catharine
Giacinta Sacripante, a religious of the Monas-
tery of St. Bernard, in the city of Narni, “that
for about two years and a half I was subject to
a flow of humors from, the head, which falling
upon my breast caused me continual and ex-
cessive pain; and two months afterwards, in
the beginning of autumn, I was seized with a
dry and constant cough which lasted during
the winters of 1663 and 1664. In the spring
my continued coughing abated, but the pain in
my chest constantly increased. * In the autumn
of 1664 my cough returned with renewed vehe-
mence, so as to excite apprehensions in those
that heard it, and frequently caused me to
vomit with very great pain and danger of
bursting a blood-vessel. Besides this, my fever,
attended with other maladies, was almost con-
tinual. My physicians having employed many
* remedies to no purpose, were of opinion that
my life must soon terminate. During the years
1664 and 1665 the above maladies oppressed
me still more. The following summer, I felt a
little better than usual; but at the end of the
succeeding September, my sickness returned

* Attestât. MSS ; autogr.

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with greater violence than during the pre-
ceding year. The nuns, seeing nay malady so
serious and dangerous, exhorted me to place
myself in the hands of a physician ; but having
derived little advantage from medicines the
previous year, I was not disposed to submit
myself again to their treatment. Hearing from
Francesca Maria Bucciarelli, a professed nun,
some details of the life of the great Servant of
God, John Berchmans, of the Society of Jesus,
who died with the reputation of sanctity, I sud-
denly experienced a particular devotion and
• desire to have a picture of the Servant of God.
On the vigil of Saint Ursula, the 20th of last
October, the Canon Bucciarelli gave a picture
of the Servant of God to Francesca Maria, his
aunt, who immediately came to see me. Un-
able to remain in bed, on account of tny cough,
asthma and fever, I was sitting in the sacristy,
at the same time suffering from a temptation
such as I had never experienced in my sick-
ness. It seemed to me that neither God nor the
Saints were willing to confer any favor upon
me. I did not wish to look at the picture, but
upon being importuned by the nun, I took it
in my hands with great impatience, and uttered
these very words: ‘If it be, true that the Ser-

vant of God, John Berchmans is in Heaven and
enjoys the glory of God, as it is said, let him

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obtain for me the favor to recover from my
sickness; if he do not, I do not believe it.’
Being reproved by Maria Francesca for speak-
ing in this manner, I replied : ‘ Do what you

please ; as for me, I do not believe in him, if
he give me not this grace.’ Wonderful to re-
late ! In an instant I was free from my cough,
my fever, my pain in the breast, and from
every malady, and I began at once to get ready
for matins and continued to perform all the
regular exercises and duties of one in perfect
health.”*

Maria Angela Guinigi, a professed religious
in the Monastery of St. John of Lucca, suffered
for about three years such weakness and
nausea of stomach, that she was unable to retain
any food. Physicians of the highest repute
being called in consultation, seèing that all their
remedies could not overcome the violence of
the disease, unanimously declared that her case
was desperate. But apart from this, her de-
bility having reduced her to so emaciated a
conation that she looked like a mere skeleton,
she herself had no longer any hopes of being
cured by human remedies. She was in this
state on the 13th of August, 1672, when hear-
ing the Mother inflrmarian read the life of the
Blessed John Berchmans and reflecting that
* Ex Proc. Namien. in Ordinar. Rom. compuls. pag. 635.

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it was the anniversary of his happy departure
from this world, she turned towards a picture
of the Servant of God, which was hanging near
her bed, and said to him : “ What would it cost
thee, O blessed Father, to restore me my health,
if it be the will of God?”

“Uttering these words,” she subjoined in her
juridical deposition, “I felt a firm confidence
without any doubt of obtaining the favor.
This I had not experienced at other times,
though I frequently recommended myself to
different Saints. Nor was my hope frustrated,
for, towards sunset, I felt an inclination to leave
my bed for half an hour, as was my custom on
other days ; but scarcely had I touched the floor,
when I felt that I was not in my usual state of
debility, but rather very vigorous, and I per-
ceived that I suffered very little. Meanwhile,
I put on my dress, and finding myself always
getting better, and that the pain which had af-
flicted me for the space of three years, had en-
tirely disappeared, I felt a desire to go to the
church, in which the religious were at that time
assembled ; but I was advised not to trust my-
self, and to be content with going to an oratory,
which was near at hand. I did so, and remain-
ed kneeling for half an hour .without the least
inconvenience. Unable to refrain from announc-
ing my recovery to the other sisters, an hour

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afterwards, I ran to a little chapel of the Bless-
ed Virgin, where a large number of the nuns
were assembled, and to reach it, I had to ascend
four flights of stairs — this I did with the great-
est ease and without the slightest inconvenience.
Entering the chapel, I said to all that I was
cured, and did not feel any pain. At this sight
the Mother Prioress ordered me to entone in a
loud voice, the Te Deum laudamus which was
continued by the other nuns with indiscribable
joy, all returning thanks to the Blessed Virgin
and her most faithful Servant. The following
day I joined in all the exercises of the commu-
nity, and have continued ever since in excel-
lent health, without perceiving the slightest
trace of my former sickness. My physicians
have testified that it was absolutely impossible
for me to recover my health by any human
means.”*

A religious of the venerable Monastery of
our Lady at Tournon, in France, was instanta-
neously freed from a more serious malady on
the 29th of September, in the year 1740. Mary
Frances di Monteils was for a long time a great
sufferer from paralysis, which extended to her
whole body, and prevented its free use. Not

* This miraculous cure is attested in the Ordinary Pro-
cess of Lucca, by six eye-witnesses, of whom one was the
person healed, and two were the physicians attending
her. Proc. Ordin. Horn, compuls. page 646, et seg.

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only was she unable to leave her chaniber, but
she could not even rise from her bed, or per-
form any action without the assistance of
another. There was no remedy which she did
not try; but so far from experiencing any
relief, she renamed only more enfeebled. The
physicians who attended her no longer enter-
tained any hope of her cure, and announced that
no resource was left her save in the protection of
heaven. Some years previously, Sister Monteils
had read the life of the angelic youth the Blessed
John Berchraans, and had conceived for him a
very high esteem. Then passing from admira-
tion to confidence, it came into her mind that
he was to be her deliverer. On the 26th of
September, 1740, after having received holy
communion, this thought made a still deeper
impression on her mind, and she regarded it as
an inspiration from heaven. Hence she very
earnestly entreated the nuns to unite with her
in making a novena in honor of the Servant of
God. All consented, and on the 29th of the
same month the novena began with a general
communion. The same day the Blessed Sacra-
ment was carried to the sick nun, who received
it seated in an arm-chair, because she had not
strength to support herself on her knees ; and
full of unusual fervor she recited a most devout
supplication to the Blessed John, which she

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promised to renew every day ; and finally with
the permission of her confessor, obliged herself
by vow to fast on the vigil and to communi-
cate on the anniversary of the Servant of God.
This she promised to do for ten years, if she
obtained the favor which she asked. From
that time forward she thought of nothing else
but of invoking frequently the Blessed John,
and while these thoughts occupied her mind,
she perceived that some extraordinary change
was taking place within her. She continued
all the morning in this state ; afterwards re-
turning to her normal condition, she found her-
self oppressed with sleep and had herself placed
in bed, where, after a short prayer, she enjoyed
a placid slumber. Awakening soon after, she
felt as if a new vigor was diffused through her
whole frame. She immediately arose from her
bed, and ran to her kneeling- bench to return
thanks to God for the change which she expe-
rienced in herself. Her astonishment had
almost bereft her of her senses, nevertheless,
fearing that she was deluded by a disturbed
imagination, and that her cure was not real,
she returned to bed, and arose from it several
times ; until evidently seeing that she had re-
covered the use of her paralyzed limbs, .and
that in moving her body, she suffered no pain,
transported with joy and gratitude, she went

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from her chamber and hurriedly ran to the
place where the sisters were assembled to give
them the news of her miraculous cure. Upon
first seeing her the sisters were confounded, as
if unwilling to believe the testimony of their
own eyes ; soon, however, recovering from their
perplexity, they all cried out with a loud voice :
“ a miracle /” and with the sick nun in their
midst, they immediately repaired to the church,
where shedding copious tears of tenderness,
they returned, as best they could, due thanks
to God, who, in such a manner had vouchsafed
to exalt the merits of his Servant John Berch-
mans. The news soon spread throughout the
city ; and a multitude of relations, friends, and
people of every rank and condition came for
several days to the monastery, desiring to see
with their own eyes the wonders of God, which
were afterwards confirmed by many eye-wit-
nesses, examined juridically by Monsignor
Alexander Milon, Bishop and Count of Valentia.*
Sister Claudia Regina Cellard, in the year
1756, was ill of a fever in the same monastery
at Tournon. Though for several months she
was subjected to every variety of treatment by
her physicians, her malady so far from impro-
ving, became more aggravated ; while in course
of time, headaches, difficulty of breathing, vio-
* Ex Proc. Ordin. Valentin.

10

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*

lent fits of vomiting and other very serious and
dangerous symptoms followed in rapid succes-
sion. Not a ray of hope for her recovery being
left, the good religious directed all her thoughts
to her soul ; and having received the last sacra-
ments on the 16 th of October, she asked that
the prayers for the dying should be recited in
order to prepare herself for her departure from
this life. ,At this time a Father of the Society
of Jesus came to see her, suggested that she
should have recourse to the intercession of the
Blessed John Berchmans. The physician also
arrived, who, hearing of her recurrence to the
Servant of God, declared, that if she were cured
it would be by a manifest miracle. Upon the
departure of the physician, the sick nun asked
for a relic of John which was immediately
brought. All the religious who had assembled
to unite in recommending her soul to God,
knelt down to pray, Sister Claudia in the mean-
time applying the relic to the parts of her body
which were suffering from her infirmities. To
apply the relic and to be cured, were one and
the same thing. At the news of this miracle,
the physician repaired without delay to the
monastery and saw his patient, who was now
cured, and vigorous and strong with the other
religious in the choir was returning thanks to
God.*

* Ex. Relat. MSS.

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îîot inferior to the former cure, both in re-
gard to the serious nature of her disease and
the suddenness of her recovery, was the follow-
ing event which I transcribe word for word
from the authentic relation now in my hands.
Maria Feodora Omaccini, born in Florence, and
a choir nun in the Monastery of St. Joseph in
the city of Castello, about the year 1731, andin
the 21st year of her age, began to be afflicted
with various and complicated infirmities, which
terminated in consumption, joined with a violent
coughing, spitting of blood and continued fever.
Although nothing was left undone to arrest so
many maladies by the application of remedies
the best adapted and most efficacious which art
and experience could employ ; notwithstanding,
all were of no avail ; for the sick person Con-
tinued for nine successive years to grow worse,
suffering from pains in the head and breast,
difficulty of breathing, convulsions, loss of
appetite and sleep, together with extreme de-
bility, particularly in the knees. Hence, the
physicians regarded her as incurable, saying
that she had reached the last stage of consump-
tion. It happened that while Father Valeriani
of the Society of Jesus, was preaching in 1750
in the same monastery, and was fervently re-
commending to the religious devotion to the
Blessed John Berchmans, Maria Feodora

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felt in her heart a very lively confidence of ob-
taining through the intercession of this immac-
ulate youth the grace of recovery which she
desired. For this purpose, she resolved on the
4th of April of the same year to make a devout
novena to the Servant of God. When the
novena commenced, and during its progress*
instead of getting better, her malady con-
stantly grew worse. However, receiving a relic
of her venerable patron from Father Dominic
Ottolini, Rector of the College, she heard, as it
were, an internal voice which said to her.
“ When you shall have been touched with my
relic, you shall be healed.” Upon this her res-
piration became still more impeded, her fever
increased and the sick person was reduced to
extremities. The physician, to give her some
relief, wished to minister new remedies to her ;
but reviving her faith, she refused them and
sent> to the abbess requesting her to come
quickly and apply the relic of the Venerable
Servant of God, feeling certain that without
the aid of human remedies she would instanta-
neously recover her health. And such in
reality was the case : for upon the application
of the relic an unusual healthy vigor ran
through all her frame. Not doubting her cure,
she exclaimed, “I am healed : the Blessed
John Berchmans has done me the favor.” Say-

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ifig this, she arose from her bed, dressed her-
self without assistance, and went with the other
religious to the church to return solemn thanks-
giving to God. The same day, the 14th of
April, she dined with the other religious in the
common refectory, went up and down the most
inconvenient stairways of the Monastery, nor
had she anything ever afterwards to suffer
from her former ailments.*

Let us turn now to the monasteries of Rome,
where the Angelic Youth, in preference, per-
haps r to any other place, showered his blessings
from heaven. And first, we must speak of two
remarkable miracles which occurred one after
the other in the Monastery of St. Ann, then
occupied by the religious of the Order of St.
Benedict, who were afterwards transferred to
that of Campus Martius. Juridical informa-
tions and testimonies were taken regarding
these two events in the Processes formed by
episcopal and apostolic authority. My narra-
tion would be long, were I to relate all the
minute circumstances as they took place. I
will rather, therefore, give a compendium of
the events.

Maria Costanza Chiaramonti, by more than

'* Besides the authentic relation confirmed by the re-
ligious as eye-witnesses of this miraculous cure, we have
the opinions of two physicians who successively attended
the sick nun during the course of her malady.

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seven years of continued sickness, had been
reduced to so emaciated a condition and to such
an exhaustion of natural vigor, that unable to
stand on her feet, she was compelled either to
lie in bed or to pass entire days seated in a
chair. Her malady was not merely of one
kind, but a strange complication of various
ailments, which attacked her at one time singly, *
at another time with their united strength : she
suffered from deafness and a ringing in the
ears; from headache and softness of the brain;
from colics and a twisting of the bowels ; from
the cardiac passion; from violent contortions:
of the limbs ; finally, from deadly fits and a
total loss of motion, especially in the arms,
knees, and withered lower extremities. The
many remedies applied to her case, in so long-
continued an illness, were of no avail except
to prolong the exercise of her patience; and
she had already tranquilized her mind and
prepared herself to suffer until death, without
any hope of relief from her miseries. However,
seated one day in her chair, she heard Sister
Maria Ignazia Mauri, who was also ill, speak
at length of the angelic life of the Blessed John
Berchmans, and conceived a great devotion
towards him, and a lively confidence in his
intercession. But as her maladies, far from,
diminishing, were daily increased, she lost

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heart and relented much in her fervor. The
Servant of God appeared several times in a
dream to Sister Mauri, and ordered her to ad-
monish Sister Costanza to renew her devotion,
if she wished to receive the grace which she
had asked. The admonition produced a good
effect. She revived her confidence in the Ser-
vant of God, began to read his life, and noticing
that he was born on the 13th of March, the
very day, when she renewed her fervor, she
said: “ O great Servant of God, will you
not grant me the desired favor on this your
birthday ?” The same evening, towards sunset,
seated in her chair, she asked the religious, who
were present, to place her on her bed. They
raised her accordingly, she herself being power-
less ; but in the act of laying her on the bed,
she fell with her face downwards, and appeared
like a dead person, all her limbs being rigid.
She was for a time motionless and insensible,
and seemed momentarily about to expire.
“Then, (continues the narration in the very
words which, after her cure the sick nun em-
ployed in the Process,) the other Sisters began
to recal to my mind the confidence which I
had felt in the Servant of God. They brought
me one of his pictures, and placed it upon my
spine : I immediately felt a certain twittering
in my lower extremities, while at the same time,

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I could not say how, my right arm was extended,
though still continuing rigid. At this unex-
pected change, the nuns yet more confidently
hoped to obtain my cure, and therefore recited
three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys, in
honor of the Blessed Trinity, praying the Ser-
vant of God to complete the favor. I was moved
and consoled by the confidence which the nuns
manifested in the Servant of God. Either
while saying those prayers or after them, they
laid the picture on my breast, and I immedi-
ately extended both my arms, and was able
with them to press the picture to my heart.
Their confidence still increasing, they placed
the picture below my breast, that motion and
vigor might return to the upper portion of my
body, and at the same time they applied a
small piece of linen dipped in the blood of the
Servant of God. At this moment, I felt per-
fectly free to move and to turn myself at plea-
sure. I could also sit in my bed without
assistance. They then repeated the same
prayers, and touched my knees with the pic-
ture and the linen ; after which I was bid to rise,
they removing at the same time my chair : but
the truth was that my lower limbs had not yet
been healed and I would have fallen upon the
floor, if I had not been supported in the arms
of the nuns. I therefore remained sitting in

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my chair. At the same time it occurred to me
that perhaps my confidence was rather pre-
sumption in wishing to obtain all the favors at
once, and on the day which I myself had selected.
I humbled myself — I resigned myself to the
divine will. The nuns who were present then
said that my knees should again be touched in
the same manner. This they did, and consigning
into my hands the picture of Venerable Berch-
mans, said to me with great confidence : ‘ arise
now, you are cured.’ I arose, supported by the
nuns, and being well balanced on my feet, at
that moment I experienced a great vigor in my
knee and leg, so that, extending my foot to
make the first step, I said that they should
leave me, for I was cured. In fact I felt per-
fectly restored and # free from all my former
maladies. The nuns left me to my own efforts,
and I began to move myself and walk briskly
with the same freedom and vigor that I now
possess. I went immediately to thank the
Blessed Sacrament. Afterwards I repaired to
the refectory in sight of all the religious, who
were overwhelmed with astonishment. I bore
in my hand the picture of my deliverer. The
following morning the Te Deum was sung in
choir by all the nuns, by order of the Mother
Abbess.*” Such are her own words. This
miraculous cure occurred March 13, 1729.

* Ex Proc. Ordin. ApoBt.

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Two months had not passed when the joy
and thanksgiving of the same monastery were
renewed by the cure of Sister Maria Ignazia
Mauri. She had been seriously indisposed for
three years, having finally lost the use of her
voice, and her arms, which were contracted.
After Sister Costanza Chiaramonti had obtained
her cure, in which sister Ignazia had a great
share, the latter was ordered by her confessor
to recommend herself to the intercession of the
Blessed John Berchmans, who had so often ap-
peared to her, and towards whom she enter-
tained a very tender devotion. She obeyed,
and upon the application of his relics was in-
stantaneously healed. “ The 3d of May, 1729,”
thus deposes Marcus Antonius Rosette, a physi-
cian, “ I visited her about four o’clock, and
having prescribed bleeding the following morn-
ing, in order to relieve the contraction of the
arms, I departed. Being recalled about an
hour afterwards, I found the religious suffering
from a contraction of her lower extremities,
attended with convulsive motions, like those in
the arms, together with shortness and difficulty
of respiration, so that she was unable to swal-
low a drop of water. Seeing that all human
skill was powerless in her case, and the sick
person, though unable to speak, manifesting a
desire to see her confessor, I advised the reli-

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gious to send for him without delay, as there
was danger of her dying of suffocation, her
pulse being also very bad, and I promised to re-
turn that evening to see if she were able to take
any remedies. I returned at six o’clock, and #
meeting the Father Confessor, as I was about
entering the door of the Monastery, I was told
by him that Sister Maria Ignazia had been
cured through the intercession of the Servant
of God, John Berchmans, and that she was then
going into the choir to return thanks to our
Lord. After a short time, Sister Maria Ig-
nazia with all the religious, related to me the
miracle performed by the Servant of God, John
Berchmans, with the touch of his picture and
of a small piece of linen dipped in his blood,
by which applications an instantaneous cure
had been effected, leaving the patient free from
all pain and debility. I remained for some
time wrapt in astonishment, knowing that I had
left the patient in a most dangerous condition,
and with but little hopes of recovery.”*

Maria Anna Girelli, a religious of the Maestre
Pie, at Rome, in the school, called all ’Arco de-
Ginnasi, was the victim for some years of most
violent convulsions and contractions of the
nerves. In the June of 1731, these maladies
increased to such a degree that they became

* Ex Proc. Ordin. et Apost.

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insupportable, both on account of the frequency
with which they assailed her, and the pains
and spasms which they caused throughout her
entire frame. Having been advised by Father
John Charles Senepa, of the Society of Jesus,
to have recourse to the intercession of John
Berchmans, she began a novena, and imposed
upon herself to visit daily the tomb of the Ser-
vant of God, and when she was unable to do so
on account of her sickness, to send thither in
her place one of her religious Sisters. Towards
the conclusion of the novena, her malady was
much augmented, and for five successive hours,
she endured the pangs of death, her whole
person being contracted and drawn up, and
her respiration so slight and difficult, that it
merely indicated that life was not extinct. In
this utter prostration of her system, -it seemed
to her that she saw before her a member of the
Society of Jesus, a youth of most beautiful
countenance, who said to her: “Well ! this is
the last time that you shall suffer from this
malady; the grace is already obtained; send
for Father Senepa, for I wish him to be pres-
ent.” The Father came, bringing with him a
relic of the Servant of God, which v while re-
citing some few prayers, he applied several
times to the sick nun. “ Then,” she subjoins
in her account of the cure, “ as if aroused from

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a profound sleep, (but in reality I am certain
that I did not sleep,) shedding tears, I extended
my arms and said : ‘Yes, my venerable patron,
I will do so ; I will begin from this day to read
your life. Give me my dress — I wish to clothe
myself ; I am free from all my ailments.’ All the
by standers testify that I spoke thus : although
I do not remember what I said or where I was,
I can only say what I conjecture and believe
to be certain. I again saw the Jesuit youth
standing before me, and I certainly knew that
it was the Blessed John Berchmans. He kindly
reproved me for the tepidity of my life ; but in
so earnest a manner that he excited in me a
great sorrow, which I still retain, for my past
defect. He commanded me to read every day
a small part of his life and to put it in practice,
never to omit my mental prayer, the great ad-
vantages of which he praised, and finally added :
‘Well! this is the last day of your sickness,
and you shall be delivered from it.’ All this I
certify, on oath, it appeared to me that I saw
and heard. My dress was placed in my hands ;
I arose, and felt as strong as if I had never
been unwell. From that time forward my con-
vulsions did not return, and I always enjoyed
perfect health.”*

On the first of June, 1745, three daughters of

* Ex attestai, authent.

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Monsieur Digne, Consul of France, entered as
pupils the Monastery of the Ursulines at Rome.
The second of these children, aged about six or
seven years and Theresa by name, besides hav-
ing an issue on one of her arms, was afflicted
with ulcers on both ears which constantly
emitted a putrid matter, whose odor was in-
supportable. Placed under the care of Sister
Ursula del Crocifisso, a lay-sister, the latter
suggested that the child should recommend
herself to the Blessed John Berchmans. The
obedient pupil consequently recited every day
some few prayers to the Servant of God, at the
end of which she added: “ If it be the will of

God, cure my ears.” In the meantime the mal-
ady constantly increased and from the ear ex-
tended to the nostrils. The most experienced
physicians and surgeons were consulted, who,
after employing all the remedies of art, finally
came to the conclusion that the malady was al-
together incurable. The good lay-sister then
exhorted the child to place still greater confi-
dence in the intercession of the Servant of God.
On the morning of the 3d of May, 1745, hav-
ing recited her customary prayers, the little
sufferer felt impressed with lively sentiments
of devotion and confidence, and begged the
Sister Infirmarian to touch her ears and fore-
head with the relics of the Blessed Berch-

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mans. This was done. At their touch the is-
sue was immediately closed, her lost hearing,
was restored and the child perfectly cured,
continued afterward, to enjoy uninterrupted
health : as the following witnesses attest upon
oath : The Superioress Maria Adelaide Roffeni,
Sisters Joseph di Middebborg, Saveria Spezzani,
Lanora della Torre, Eleanora Saracinelli, Clara
Deva, Costante Isabella Aleppi, Victoria Ossoli,
Agnes Ressé, Louisa Schiantanelli, Cassandra
Depuis, Serafina Buzi, Ursula del Crocifisso,
all Ursuline religious.*

CHAPTER VIII.

Wonderful favors conferred upon every class of

persons .

Muzio Cittadini, a native of Sienna and a
notary by profession, while at Rome in the
September of 1621, was attacked by a most
violent fever attended with rather dangerous
symptoms. A relative of the sick man, Donna
Ersilia Altissimi, by name, informed of the
fact, immediately repaired to the church of the
Roman College, and prayed for a considerable
time for his recovery, inspired by the confi-
dence which the extraordinary favor she had

* Ex attestât, authent.

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already received through the intercession of the
Venerable John Berchraans, gave to her peti-
tions. Having returned home, she is met by
the wife of Muzio who, with serene countenance
and joyful heart, informs her that the patient is
not only out of danger, but ’instantaneously
cured, she knows not how, nor by whom. But
upon remarking the hour and moment of the
cure, it was found to have occurred at the very
time in which the intercession of the Servant
of God was implored. Hence it was that on
the same day the entire family of Muzio to-
gether with Donna Ersilia went to return
thanks to God, and to offer two candles, as was
then customary, to be burned before the sepul-
chre of the Venerable John*

In the October of the same year, 1621, Mag-
dalene Navarra, a Roman young lady, twenty-
two years of age, was cured in a like miracu-
lous manner. For three months she was com-
pelled to keep her bed on account of an obsti-
nate contraction of the nerves, vhich caused
her the most frightful spasms. “ Having,” says
she in her sworn deposition, “ used to little or
no purpose the various remedies recommended
by physicians and particularly by Signor Luigi
Ramino, I recurred to the devout intercession
of a Father of the Society of Jesus, called
* Proo. Ordin. Roman, fol. 218, 270, 271, 273.

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Father John, a native of Flanders, who, I
learned, had died on the 13th of August, 1621,
with the reputation of great sanctity. A stu-
dent of the Eoman College, named Julius Sca-
lano, a relative of mine had given me a piece
of the habit of the aforesaid Father, and through
devotion I put it around my neck, earnestly re-
commending myself to the same blessed Father,
and suddenly I commenced to feel better and
was entirely cured, and returned to my former
state of life, and never since have I been afflict-
ed with the same miseries ; and I attribute all
to God through the intercession of the aforesaid
holy Father, and I therefore return thanks for
this favor, and I recommend myself to his inter-
cession, I venerate his image and revere his
relics as holy, and I know that he has performed
many and various miracles in favor of those who
recommend themselves to his intercession.”*
Aloysius Eiccardi, Eector of the Church of
St. Antony in the city of Corneto, in the year
1621, fell sick of a fever, which for more than a f
month continued to waste his strength, and
which was accompanied by very severe asthma
and difficulty of breathing. The physicians, to
whose care he was entrusted, seeing all the skill
of their art unavailable, began to despair not
only of his cure, but even of his life. The sick
* Proc. Ordin. Rom. fol. 326.

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man himself lost hope especially, when in Sep-
tember of the same year, he was seized with an
extremely violent attack, accompanied with
dangerous symptoms and deadly swoons. At
this time a letter was brought to him from his
nephew, Gregory by name, who was studying
at Rome in the College of the Society of Jesus;
but not being able to read the letter, through
the violence of his pains, he held it in his hand,
and at the same time felt that his fever abated
and that great joy swelled his heart. He wished
to open the letter, and finding within it a small
piece of a black garment, he unfolded it con-
temptuously, under the impression that his
nephew had procured for him a new cassock of
the cloth of which a sample had been sent.
His sufferings however continuing to be re-
lieved, while at the same time he experienced
internal consolation of soul, and not being able
to divine the cause, he finally read the letter,
which was couched in these terms : “ Father

John of Flanders, a member of the Society of
Jesus, died in our College here at Rome on the
13th of last August, with the reputation of
sanctity ; and when his body was carried into
the church, there was a large concourse of
people, who came to see him and to obtain some
of his relics; and this piece of his habit fell to
my lot, which I inclose in this letter, to your

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Reverence.” But the most remarkable of all
was, that upon finishing the reading of the
letter, the sick man was perfectly well, and
rising without delay from his bed, walked
through „ the city to the astonishment and
amazement of every one. Moreover in his jurid-
ical deposition, fie added that by means of
that little relic many graces were operated by
the Almighty, in the same city, through
the intercession of John, and that to testify his
gratitude he willingly repaired to Rome and
suspended at the sepulchre of the Servant of
God, a Votive tablet in which all the circum-
stances of his extraordinary cure were accu-
rately represented.*

In the usual Roman Process, Santa Speran-
dino, the wife of Octavius Sabaudi, residing in
Penna, in the diocese of Amelia, thus testifies
regarding herself: “On the 15th of July, 1622,
being confined to my bed by erisypelas in the
face, attended with fever and excessive pains in
in the head, on account of which, I could not
endure the sound of persons walking in the
street, and my pains and fever increasing to
such a degree that I almost despaired of my
life, and besides a flow of blood unexpectedly
following with such violence as to make me
like a dying person, (such indeed was the opi-
*. Proc. Ord. Rom. fol. 310, 315, 319.

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nion of my physician, Peter Felice, when he
came to visit me ;) my mother brought with
her to my house a picture of Father John Berch-
mans, of the Society of Jesus, who died, on the
13th of August, 1621, in the Roman .College,
with the reputation of a saint, and who per-
formed many miracles; and she advised me to
recommend myself to his intercession, which
when I had done, and placed his picture on my
head, I suddenly felt myself free from my head-
ache ; and, a few days afterwards, cured of my
infirmity, I arose from bed as if I had never
been sick. And for the above grace attained
by the intercession of the aforesaid Father John
I placed a votive tablet together with his pic-
ture where the body of the above Father re-
mains in the Roman College.”*

In like manner, by the mere application of
a relic of the blessed youth, Dorotea Grisalli, of
the district of Palo, and diocese of Bari in the
Neapolitan Kingdom, was cured of a most vio-
lent headache which during fifteen days almost
deprived her of reason, and hurried her to the
excesses of one under the influence of madness.
In consequence of the favor which she had re-
ceived, she entertained so great confidence in
the intercession of the Servant of God, that she
recurred to him alone in all her necessities.

* Proc. Ord. Bom. fol. 309, 322, 324.

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A dangerous cancer appearing in her leg, she
was unwilling to obtain the services of a phy-
sician or a surgeon. She applied to the diseased
part the relic*of John ; the tumor suddenly dis-
appeared, and she was entirely healed, as she
herself testifies upon oath in the Process which
was drawn up in 1626.*

Lucretia Pettorelli, a Roman, had upon one
of her knees a tumor of so genuine a charac-
ter, that it caused her the most intense pain.
She could not make the least motion without
great inconvenience, nor was she able to endure
the slightest touch. Hearing, after some time,
that one of her relations had been recently re-
stored to health through the intercession of the
venerable John Berchmans, she cared not for
medicines or physicians: and had herself car-
ried as well as she could, to the sepulchre of the
venerable Servant of God in the church of the
Roman College; when there, with bare knee
she placed herself on the marble slab, and hav-
ing made a short prayer, arose without pain
and speedily returned home free from all suf-
fering.f

One of the legs of Julia Drosolini, likewise
a Roman, was in a still worse condition. ,By a
strange contraction of the nerves, she had be-

* Proc. Ordin. Païen, in Roman compnls.

t Ex attestât, authent.

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come a cripple. She could neither move her-
self, nor walk, without the assistance of another.
With all her heart she recommended herself to
the protection of the venerable John Berchmans
promising, if cured, to carry as a mark of grat-
itude, a leg of silver to his tomb. Her prayer
being finished, she immediately received the
desired favor, and went herself the same day
to the church and fulfilled her vow*

Lady Angela Felisboni, the wife of Signor
Giulio de Giulii, a Roman, towards the end of
April, 1729, was attacked by hysterics, to which
from time to time she was subject. On this oc-
casion, however, their violence was very great;
for besides suffering from difficulty of respira-
tion and palpitation of the heart, her throat was so
compressed that for eighteen successive days she
was unable to take any food, and found herself
reduced to the utmost debility. N o remedy avail-
ing, she sent for the Curate of S. Maria di Fras-
tevere, her Confessor, to administer to her the
last sacraments. He, seeing the condition of
the sick lady, returned home for a picture of
the Blessed John Berchmans which he possessed,
and visiting immediately his penitent, made
with ^ the image the sign of the Cross three
times over her, putting his confidence in the
intercession of the Servant of God. The lady

♦Ex. attentat, authent.

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at the same moment recovered her strength,
and exclaimed: u I am cured, and the Venera-
ble Berchmans has conferred on me this favor.”
And such was really the case ; for, free from
all pain, she left her bed, as strong as she ever
was, and what was more remarkable, she never
afterwards suffered from the same infirmity.*
Still nearer his end was a youth of twenty-
two years of age, named Peter Spadoni, a pupil
of the College of Salviati, at Rome. An artery
in his breast having burst on the 8th of Septem-
ber, 1742, he began and continued for eight en-
tire days to vomit blood in very great quantity.
Abandoned by the physicians, he received the
last Sacraments, and with great piety prepared
himself to pass from this life. The prayers of
the dying were being recited for his soul, when
it was opportunely suggested by one of his
companions that he should recommend himself
to the Blessed John Berchmans, whom God
at that time was glorifying by astounding mir-
acles. The sick young man took in bis hand
a picture of the Servant of God, and kissing it
several times, with tender affection, placed it
upon his breast. A short time afterwards he
fell asleep; and it appeared to him that he saw
in a dream before him a youth of the Society,
who with amiability expressed on his counte-
nance, approached his bedside. The sufferer
* Ex Attestât, authent.

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asked if it was the Venerable John Berchmans
whom he saw, and, receiving an affirmative
answer, begged with all possible earnestness
that the Servant of God would obtain from the
Almighty and from the Blessed Virgin the
health of his body, now entirely despaired of
by the physicians. The Servant of God replied :
“ Yes, my son, I will do so willingly.” Here-
upon the sick man awoke, and, to the astonish-
ment of all, was perfectly cured. A few days
afterwards, with all his companions, he pro-
ceeded to the Church of St. Ignatius, in order
to receive holy communion, and to return
thanks at the tomb of his heavenly preserver.

In proof of this fact we have the sworn depo-
sitions of Rev. Andrew Secci, Rector of the
College of Salviati; of Fabricius Leandrini,
infirmarian ; of Cipriano Cipriani and Charles
Cecchetti, pupils of the College; and of two
physicians, whose authentic testimony I prefer
in this place to give, copied from the original
now in my hand.

“We, the undersigned, compelled by truth,
testify, on oath, that being the ordinary physi-
cians of the College of Salviati, we attended a
pupil of the same College, named Peter Spa-
doni, who, from the 8th of last September, began
to vomit very large quantities of blood, and
continued to do so on the subsequent days
until the evening of Saturday the 15th of the

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same month ; and as these sanguinary ejections
were very copious and frequent, every available
remedy which the medical art can supply in
similarly dangerous maladies was brought into
requisition, not only by having recourse to re-
peated bleedings, but also finally to the most
powerful astringents — all, however, without
any benefit or advantage; the malady even
seemed constantly to increase. Its origin was
discovered to be a very considerable rupture
of an arterial vessel in the breast ; this we con-
jectured from the frequency of the above-men-
tioned ejections of blood, (which on the 14th
and 15th especially occurred even as often as
four or five times a day, and as many during
the night :) and from the frothy quality of the
blood, and the excessive copiousness of these
discharges from the mouth; for it was com-
puted that he had thrown up no less than six-
teen pounds of blood, besides the repeated
bleedings prescribed in his case. For these
reasons, and because all the remedies applied,
as was said, were found useless, though effica-
cious in themselves, it was judged impossible
to obtain his cure by any natural means. We
were still further confirmed in this judgment
when we saw him attacked still later by a fever
so violent that in a few days it reduced the
poor sufferer to extremities. Hence, it was
that after he had received the last Sacraments,

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he was advised to have recourse to the divine
assistance, since no confidence could be placed
in human aid. Such was his condition on
Saturday, the loth of September, when we left
him in the hands of his Spiritual Fathers, who
were of opinion that he was soon to pass to a
better life. When we returned next day to the
College, we heard to our great astonishment
that the sick youth was cured: and, in fact,
upon examining his pulse, we found him with-
out fever; we observed that he spat up no
blood, and, in fine, that he was entirely healed.
It was on this occasion we learned that he had
recovered instantaneously through the inter-
cession of the Venerable John Berchmans, of
the Society of Jesus. Acknowledging that the
above cure could not in any manner have been
attributed to human remedies, we judged it
expedient to suspend all treatment in order to
see whether a permanent recovery had been
effected. This we found to be the case; for
from that up to the present time he has suffered
no inconvenience from his former sickness. In
testimony whereof we have subscribed our
names, this 10th day of October, 1742.

“Nicholas Michelangeli, ordinary and
principal Physician of the above-mentioned
College.

“ Charles Mocchi, assistant Physician of the
above-mentioned College.”

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CHAPTER IX.

Miracles laid before the sacred Congregation of

Rites , and approved by our holy Father , the

Pope .

Maria Angela Gilivet was born at Rome in
March, 1717. She contracted from her parents,
who both died a few months after her birth, so
delicate and diseased a constitution, that through
fear of appraching death, it was necessary with-
out delay to administer to her the holy sacra-
ment of baptism. God willed, however, that she '
should survive ; but as she advanced in years,
she gave manifest indications that her physical
system was a prey to innumerable bad humors.
From childhood she began to experience great
weakness in her limbs, utter exhaustion of
strength and difficulty of respiration. After a
time her gums appeared swollen and pregnant
with black and putrid blood, which gradually
infected all her teeth, and her entire body was
covered with livid spots, which soon took the
form of pustules and running sores. Desiring
most ardently to consecrate herself to God, she
went from Rome to Nepi, and there entered the
Monastery of St. Bernard, of the Cistercian
order. The nuns refused to receive her on ac«

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count of her feeble health; but afterwards con-
vinced of the piety of the young lady, they
cheerfully admitted her to the novitiate and to
her profession. Her maladies were much in-
creased by the tenor of the religious life, and
she was subject to epileptic fits and convulsions,
contractions of the nerves and tendons, lesions
of the bones and paralysis of the limbs. In
1747, her left leg was contracted, and a few
months afterwards also her right one, both being
shortened by about three inches; and one of
her ribs being moved from its natural position,
was contracted, while its point entered near the
'breast. Two years from that time the poor
sufferer was taken with most violent convul-
sions in all her limbs, followed by the almost
entire loss of the use of her tongue and arms.
Thus, with her most acute pains, she remained
powerless to perform any duty of life. The
physicians, to whose care she was intrusted,
after having for many years uselessly employed
all the remedies of their art, declared that
Angela Maria was affected with scurvy in the
highest degree, which therefore naturally could
hot be cured. In fact they ceased to apply
other remedies and abandoned the case as des-
perate.

On the 12th of August, 1749, Rev. Angelo
Milizia, ordinary Confessor of the Monastery,

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related the deplorable condition of the patient
to Monsignor Silvestri, Bishop of Nepi, who
exhorted her to recommend herself to the inter-
cession of Venerable John Berchmans, whom
God had pleased to glorify in Ronciglione by a
famous miracle, of which the Process had then
been drawn up. In consequence of this advice
the whole community united in fervent suppli-
cations to God, and Angela Maria conceived the
firm confidence of obtaining her cure through
the intercession of Venerable Berchmans. Nor
was she mistaken, as the following narration of
the fact taken from her own deposition in the
Apostolic Process, will sufficiently tell : “ About
the vesper hour, which may have been two
o’clock, on the 16th of August, after holy com-
munion, I was seized, as usual, with convul-
sions, which ceased towards night. Having
then taken in bed a slight refection — such as is
usually given to the sick — I placed upon my
knees the picture of my Venerable John Berch-
mans, and if I may be permitted to say it, I
entreated him with more faith than on the pre-
ceding days, to grant me health, if it were for
the salvation of my soul, so that I might serve
Jesus, my spouse, in this holy place, and not be
so great a burden to the community and my
sisters in religion. I then sweetly fell asleep
and enjoyed a calm repose, which lasted about

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seven hours, never during my life having slept
so tranquilly and for so long a time. Next
morning at sunrise, when the religious were
going to matins, I awoke, and perceived that
my limbs were completely unbent, that my neck
was erect, and upon touching my left side, I
found that my rib which had been very con-
siderably raised, had returned to its natural
•position, and did not differ from the others.
I felt that the pressure on my left shoulder had
been removed, and that the arm attached to it
was free and possessing its natural strength.
At first, I thought that I was deluded by my
imagination, but upon moving all the parts of
my body, I felt persuaded that I had been
miraculously healed, and without delay sprang
from my bed as lightly as a feather. Finding
myself well, and endowed with such strength as
I never before had, while my gums were ex-
empt from all humors; alone, without any
assistance, I put on all my clothes, and experi-
enced very great regret, that I had not made
known the miracle to my sister, Innocenzia
Gilivet, who slept in the same room, and had
already gone to the choir; but when I was about
to awake, it seemed to me that I was dreaming:.
After having clothed myself, I arose, made my
bed and arranged every thing in my room. I
then left it, and went to a grate which was near
the choir, while, the religious were reciting

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matins, for the purpose of hearing a mass which
was offered at the altar of oùr Lady, opposite
the above-mentioned grate. I might almost
say that I flew from one place to the other. I
heard the holy mass, affectionately thanking
my Venerable John Berchmans, and I mentally
repeated that I united myself with him, who
was now in heaven, in thanking the most august
Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin for the* great
miracle operated upon me through his inter-
cession, which I had invoked. Meanwhile the
Mother Abbess came out of the choir : I knelt

before her, saying ; ‘ A miracle, mother ; I am

perfectly cured through the intercession of the
Venerable Servant of God, John Berchmans.’
The Mother Abbess was astounded, and told
me that I should thank God and the Venerable
Berchmans : I replied that I had already done

so in the Mass which I had just heard. Mean-
while the religious came out of the choir, and
all were astonished at seeing me healed. Some
of them wept, while others laughed, and each
one endeavored to embrace me and rejoice with
me. To give the whole community a proof of the
miracle performed upon me, the same day I
swept the kitchen, carried the wood and rang
the bells, which sounded merrily on account of
the approaching festival of our glorious St.
Bernard.” Such are her own words.*

* Proc, apost. Nepesin. fol. 183 et seq.

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Not less extraordinary was the aid received
from Heaven, through the intercession of the
Blessed John, by Sister Maria Angelica, of the
Most Holy Trinity, a novice of the third order of
St. Francis, at Ronciglione, in the Monastery of
St. Ann. She fell sick in the beginning of July,
1732, and her malady gradually taking the
form of a scirrhus in the stomach, accompanied
by dangerous symptoms of fatal gastritis, be-
came so aggravated that on the 16th of October,
her physician, Joseph Antony Diotallevi, re-
garded her case as hopeless, and directed that
the last Sacraments should be administered to
her without delay. The religious grieving to
lose so prematurely a young person of parts so
rare, excited their confidence in God, hoping
to obtain her cure, though beyond the power
of nature, through the merits of Blessed John
Berchjnans, one of whose pictures had been
seen by a religious in the breviary of Sister
Teresa of St. Antony. The latter, howéver,
declared that she knew nothing of any such
image, and that she never had one even casu-
ally in her breviary. Notwithstanding, taking
up the book, as soon as she opened it, she saw
before her in reality the picture of the Servant
of God. This was regarded by the religious
as a good omen, exciting them to great devo-
tion, and to the confidence of obtaining the cure

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of the sick person. However, in the afternoon
of the same day, the Mother Abbess exhorted
the afflicted nun, to confide in the protection
of the Venerable Berchmans and to promise,
if cured, to send to his tomb a silver heart.
Having said these words, she retired, leaving
the devout picture upon the breast of the pa-
tient. Sister Angelica took it in her hand, and
gazing fixedly upon it, said that she seemed to
behold in it a certain brightness which daz-
zled her eyes. She then subjoined : See
how beautiful are the eyes of this Servant
of God; see how they move; he seems to
look at me. For some time she continued
thus speaking to herself, as if in an ecstasy.
Sister Felix Victoria, of St. Francis, who was
attending the sick nun, at first did not pay
much regard to these words, thinking she was
delirious : but upon perceiving that she was in
the full possession of her faculties, animated
her to confide more and more in the venerable
youth. The following morning, Sister Maria
Angelica asked for the Holy Viaticum and
Extreme Unction, saying that she had been
assured by the Servant of God, that after re-
ceiving the last sacraments she would be healed.
She was communicated, as she desired ; but as
evening came on, finding that her strength was
failing, she earnestly begged ‘that she might be
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anointed. As soon as the sacred unction was
finished, she found herself perfectly well, as if
she never had any sickness. The thought now
occurred of sending to Rome the silver heart
in fulfilment of the vow, but learning that no
votive offerings were permitted to be suspended
at the tomb, it was deemed better to abandon
the idea. But on the 24th of November, the
novice relapsed into the same sickness, and in
four days was again brought to the verge of the
grave. Such was her punishment for not hav-
ing fulfilled her vow. Hence she made no
delay in sending directions to Rome to have
some wax candles burned on the great altar of
the Church of St. Ignatius, before which lie the
remains of the Servant of God. The patient
recommended herself to him once more with
great fervor, and after receiving the sacraments,
while all feared that her death was near, she
was again cured in an instant, and arose from
her bed entirely healed.

Another miracle, which, if we may use the
expression, comprehends several, happened at
Rome, in the person of Sister Maria Crocifissa
Ancaiani, a professed religious of the Order of the
Visitation. I prefer rather to give here, in part,
the very words of the person cured, as they were
juridically set down in the Apostolic Process.
“In the beginning of the month of March,”

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says she, “ I began to be attacked by a slow
fever, which constantly preyed upon me,
and at the same time I suffered from a slight
pain in the breast, attended with continued
coughing and spitting of blood. My physicians
gave me many remedies ; but I received not the
least relief from them. My malady grew con
stantly worse, and to such a degree that not
only did the usual slow fever continue, but at
times the pain in my breast became more vio-
lent, while my coughing and spitting of blood
likewise increased; whence the same physicians
judged that my malady was a consumption
that was absolutely incurable. I continued in
this state until the month of December, 1728,
when I was taken with a most acute pain on
the left side of my heart, attended with so vehe-
ment a palpitation of the same, that I can not
express it. Besides, all the left part of my
body, my arm, my thigh, and my leg, were so
entirely paralyzed, that I could not move them.
My physicians hoped to relieve me from this
new affliction by bleeding me in the right arm
and foot ; but in vain, for in the same month
of December, my malady increased with symp-
toms so striking that the physicians were con-
vinced that a polypus was formed in the region
of the heart. Hence they considered my case,
desperate, and my death near at hand. After

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this, in consequence of a medicine which was
given me, I was taken with strong convulsions,
and my jaws closed so tightly that I was unable
to open my mouth, either to eat or to speak.
The sacraments having been ordered, Rev. Fer-
dinand Landolfi, my confessor, came, and as I
could not speak, heard my confession by signs,
and gave me absolution. I was unable to re-
ceive the Blessed Eucharist, and Extreme Unc-
tion was deferred on account of my having
fallen into a lethargy, from which it was hoped
I would be aroused, so as at least to be restored
to a slight degree of consciousness.

“The Mother Superioress, Sister Angela
Eleanora Lazzari together with Mother Paola
Maria Scotti, then infirmarian, on the evening
of the 6th of April 1729, came into the Infir-
mary, and approaching my bed, presented to
me a picture of the Venerable John Berchmans,
of the Society of Jesus, given to her by a cham-
ber-maid of the Duchess Bonelli, who had
the same morning received it from Brother Jo-
seph Bruschi, of the Society of Jesus. In hand-
ing it to me, she said : 4 As for you, there is no
remedy for you, you cannot be cured ; recom-
mend yourself to this Servant of God, if you wish
to be cured.’ I was still in my lethargy, but
yet I heard the voice of my Superioress. I con-
tinued in my lethargy during the night, which

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I passed very badly, suffering more than usual
from convulsions and fits of fainting, so that
those who were around me, were of opinion that
the prediction of my physician, Pesce, would
be verified, viz. : that I would not survive un-
til morning. Notwithstanding this, early the
next morning, which was the 7th of April, it
appeared to me that I recovered somewhat from
my lethargy and had sufficient consciousness
to cast a glance upon the picture of the Servant
of God, John Berchmans. Seeing it, I remem-
bered all that the Superioress had told me;
hence, taking it in my right hand, which was not
embarrassed, I applied the picture to my fore-
head, to my head and breast, recommending my-
self to his intercession. I applied it first to my
head, making with it the sign of the cross, and
immediately afterwards, I placed it on my breast,
where the physicians had located the polypus,
and where I suffered excessive pain; and at
that very instant I felt that I was free from all
my maladies, my mind was restored to its usual
tranquillity, and all my senses to their nor-
mal condition. I was able to open my mouth
and to speak without any difficulty. My left
side, which for a long time had been paralyzed
and motionless, suddenly recovered its mobili-
ty. I at once sprang from my bed and knelt
down to recite three Our Fathers and Hail

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Marys to the Holy Trinity, in honor of the
Venerable John Berchmans.” Such are her
words. She then continues to relate that she
herself took off the bandages which had been
fastened around the diseased parts of her body,
put on all her clothes, and rapidly passed
through the house to the astonishment of all
the religious and the physician himself, who,
unsolicited, left in writing an open attestation
of the miracle which had occurred.

Cured of this first sickness, Sister Maria
Crocifissa continued for two years and two
months in a state of perfect health, exercising
the office of porteress, and employing herself in
all the duties of the monastery. In October,
1731, she fell ill again; but her malady was
quite different from the former. She experi-
enced at first a severe pain in the right side of
the breast, which was soon found to be the
effect of a cancerous tumor, that annoyed her
exceedingly. Unwilling through modesty to
submit herself to the examination of a physi-
cian, she made use of a very violent remedy,
prepared by an inexperienced and unprofes-
sional man. The result was that her ailment
far from being diminished, was only the more
aggravated. Her right arm contracted and was
benumbed, and from the irritated ulcer of the
breast issued an humor, corroding, bloody, and

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fetid. Constrained by obedience to place her-
self in the hands of physicians and surgeons,
they came to the conclusion that her blood was
already corrupted, and her malady by its nature
was incurable. The 13th of August, the anni-
versary of the death of the Venerable John
Berchmans, drawing near, Rev. Francis Calucci,
the ordinary confessor of the monastery, ex-
horted the sick nun to make a devout novena
to the Servant of God, and earnestly to beg him
to grant a new cure. She obeyed, and on the
morning of the 19th of August, after having
passed a very restless night, she slept a little ;
as soon as she awoke, the thought of the Ser-
vant of God came to her mind and she ex-
claimed : My venerable patron, grant me the
desired favor. With these words she arose
from béd and kneeling down, recommended
herself with all her heart to the blessed
youth. She continued for some time thus pray-
ing with internal consolation. When upon a
moment's reflection, she noticed that she was
able to move freely her whole body, and
was entirely without pain. Then, like one
filled with astonishment, she said to herself:
What is this? Am I dreaming, or have I
received the desired favor?” She was radically
cured : the cancerous tumor had disappeared ;
her ulcers were healed ; all pain had ceased.

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Unaided she dressed herself, and hastened to
call the religions to join her in thanking her
heavenly benefactor. The physicians and Sur-
geons, who had attended her, npon being called,
united in the opinion that her cure was super-
natural, and an incontestible miracle effected
instantaneously by the Almighty, through the
intercession of his Servant, the Venerable John
Berchmans.

Their opinion not only regarding the above
miracle, but likewise the two preceding ones,
was confirmed by the learned writings of two
excellent defenders of the cause of the Servant
of God, Monsignor Francis Mercurelli and Pro-
fessor Hilary Alibrandi, advocates, and by
three celebrated doctors in medicine and sur-
gery, Cajetan Tancioni, Gabriel Taussig, and
Joseph Maria de Rossi, who presented their
sworn attestations in writing before the com-
mission of the Sacred Congregation.

CHAPTER X.

Acts of the Beatification.

The Servant of God having died on the 13th
of August, 1621, and the fame Of the numerous
miracles which the Almighty operated through
his intercession having daily increased, it was

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 329

resolved to introduce the cause of his Beatifica-
tion to the notice of the Sacred Congregation of
Rites. The first to take effectual steps in the
matter, was his Excellency Don Philip d’Arem-
bergh, Duke of Arscot, one of the most reli-
gious and distinguished personages then living
in Flanders. A few months after the death of
John, he presented a petition to Gregory XY.
earnestly praying the Sovereign Pontiff that
information might be taken regarding the life,
virtues and miracles of the Servant of God, and
at the same time, he selected as his agent and
procurator at Rome, the Rev. Abbot Octavius
Sacco. The memorial of the Duke was kindly
received by his Holiness, and referred to Mon
signor Alexander Boschi, Vicegerent of the
Cardinal Vicar, who received verbal orders to
draw up in due form the process of information.

There was no delay on the part of the Vice-
y^rent in executing the command, and on the
17th of January, 1622, he commenced the Pro-
cess, which begins as follows: “On the 17th

of January, in the year 1622, in presence of the
most illustrious and Reverend Monsignor Alex-
ander Boschi, by the grace of God and favo*
of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Serajo, and
Vicegerent of the most illustrious and Reverend
Cardinal Vicar of Rome, and in presence of me,
*he undersigned, appeared the Rev. Abbot

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Ootavius Sacco, of Reggio, who in his own
name and in the name of the most illustrions
lord, Philip, Duke of Arscot, recalled to the
memory of the aforesaid Most reverend Mon-
signor Vicegerent, that his Holiness Pope
Gregory XV. had referred to his illustrious
lordship a memorial, previously presented to
his holiness on the part of the above most ex-
cellent Duke, in which it was petitioned that
information might be taken on the life, death,
sanctity, miracles and other good works of
John Berchmans, of pious memory, who was
born in Diest, in Flanders, was a religious of
the Society of Jesus, and died at Rome on the
13th of August, 1621. Therefore the aforesaid
Lord Abbot Octavius Sacco in the name of the
parties above-mentioned, humbly supplicates
your lordship, that in consequence of the afore-
said memorial, you would order the Process
to be drawn up by your ordinary authority,
appointing for that purpose the one who is best
qualified, giving him all the necessary faculties,
and performing every thing in the best possible
manner,’ 7 etc.

Thirty-six witnesses of the highest authority,
were summoned to give their testimony, nearly
all of whom had been personally acquainted
with the Servant of God, and had enjoyed
familiar intercourse with him at Rome and in

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Flanders, viz. : three of his Confessors, Fathers
Virgil Cepari, Thomas Massucei, and John
Baptist Ceccotti ; two of his teachers, Fathers
Francis P : ccolimini and Horace Grassi; and
besides these, Fathers Cornelius a Lapide, James
Tirino, and nearly all his classmates.

The following year, 1623, at the request of
Father Antony Sucquet, Provincial of Flanders,
and of Father Walter Clerici, Rector of the
College of An versa, Monsignor John Maldero,
Bishop of that city, drew up another Process
of information in which were given the deposi-
tions of twenty-three other witnesses, who had
known the Blessed John when a secular and a
religious: and in the same Process were inserted
various documents concerning certain miracles
of his which had been authenticated by the
municipal authorities of the district of Diest.

Those two Processes having been terminated,
Father Muzius Vitelleschi, General of the
Society, in the year 1625, appointed Father
Virgil Cepari, postulator of the cause with
ample faculties to expedite the proceedings in
the Sacred Congregation of Rites. Nor could
one more competent have been selected; for
besides having been very much versed in this
matter, as appears from the Directory which he
has left in writing, he had been engaged for
more than twenty-five years in promoting other

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1<1K LIFE OF

causes ol janonization. But passing to a better
life a few years after his appointment, and other
causes of importance in the meantime arising,
ours for more than a century remained aban-
doned and neglected. But the Venerable Ser-
vant of God took upon himself to revive the
memory of his cause, by performing new and
astonishing miracles at Rome and in the neigh-
boring country. Another Process in the usual
manner being formed, an abridgment of it and
of the two former ones was presented to the
Sacred Congregation: and in the year 1745,
the Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV. approved
with his signature the introduction of the cause,
being moved thereunto by the merits of the
Servant of God, and the fervent supplications
directed to the Apostolic See by Augustus,
King of Poland, John V., King of Portugal,
Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary, Marianna
of Austria, Regent of Belgium, the Cardinal of
Alsace, Archbishop of Mechlin, the Bishops of
Bruges, Ypres, Ghent and Anversa, the Canons
of the Cathedrals, the Senate and municipal
councils of Belgium, and the University of
Louvain.

Afterwards, the remissorial letters, as the}'
are called, were expedited, and the Apostolic
Process in Rome was drawn up, together with
two others in Ronciglione and Nepi, relating to

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. S3S

two recent miracles, and finally one in Belgium,
concerning the examination of the writings of
the Servant of God. However, the lamentable
political disturbances which occurred from the
latter part of the past century until the return
of Pius VII. to Rome, presented new obstacles
to the progress of the cause. The question of
his virtues having in these latter times been
resumed and discussed, according to custom, in
three congregations, the Sovereign Pontiff,
Gregory XVI., on the 7th of June, 1843, decreed
that John Berchmans had practised all virtues
in a heroic degree.

While the second question, relating to his
miracles, was discussed, the Cardinal Arch-
bishop of Mechlin, with all the Bishops of Bel-
gium, humbly petitioned the Apostolic See to
expedite the cause, suggesting at the same time
the spiritual advantages which would result
therefrom, especially to youth. The following
is their letter, translated from the original Latin.

“Most Holy Father: — The cause of the
beatification of the Venerable Servant of God,
John Berchmans, seeming now to be drawing
to a close, I deemed it advisable to present again
my supplications to the August Head of the
Church, earnestly praying that the honors of
the altar may be decreed by apostolic authority

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to this angelic youth. Such an event would be
most pleasing to all, and especially to the Church
of Mechlin, in which our Venerable Berchmans,
dear to God and to men, passed a great portion
of his most innocent life. For he was born in
Diest, and was there educated up to the four-
teenth year of his age. He afterwards lived
two years as a secular in Mechlin, and two
more as a religious in the novitiate of the So-
ciety of Jesus. This Diocese, therefore, will
with great reason rejoice to see this new honor
conferred upon the Servant of God, and all the
inhabitants of Belgium will exult in conse-
quence of the tender affection which they enter-
tain for their countryman.

“Besides, the beatification for which I peti-
tion will not only be a subject of great joy and
jubilation, but an occasion of the greatest util-
ity. For it is certain that men are ordinarily
more devoted to the Saints of their country, and
more easily induced to imitate their example.
Now, the devotion of the Belgians is more
ardent, more intense towards the Venerable
Berchmans, from the fact, that though we have
many saints in this country, who lived here
long since, yet no Belgian has been raised to
the honors of the altar in these latter times.
To this we may add, that as we are now pro-
moting, in Belgium, the Christian education of

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youth, upon which the future prosperity of the
Church in these parts depends, we cannot pro-
pose a more suitable example to our youth, than
this most innocent Servant of God, who in so
tender an age gave proof of so many and excel-
lent virtues.

Finally^ as the example of John whilst still
living inflamed the beholders to perfection, so
now the narration of his virtues to the young
not only produces admiration, but wonderfully
excites to imitation. Such are the fruits,
which will be gathered in still greater abund-
ance, Most . Holy Father, when the Venerable
Servant of God shall have been raised to the
honors of the altar.

“ I therefore pray your Holiness graciously
to receive this my petition, by declaring Blessed
as soon as possible, the Venerable John Berch-
mans, to the glory and utility of this our dio-
cese of Mechlin, and of all Belgium ; and pros-
trate at the feet of your Holiness, I humbly
implore your apostolical benediction.

“ Mechlin , October 25, 1853.

“ Engelbert, Car . Archbishop of Mechlin.

“We, the undersigned, Bishops of Belgium,
subscribe to the above petition of his Eminence,
the Most Beverend Archbishop of Mechlin, and
earnestly pray your Holiness to raise to the
honors of the altar, as soon as possible, the

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Venerable John Berchmans, of the Society of
Jesus, a native of Belgium, and, the future pa-
tron, as we trust, of youth, especially in this
country.

“ Mechlin , feast of Sts . Simon and Jude , 1853.

“ Gaspar Joseph, Bishop ofToumay; Nich-
olas Joseph, Bishop of Namur ; Louis Joseph,
Bishop of Ghent ; John Baptist, Bishop of
Bruges ; Théodore, Bishop of Liege' 1

Having, according to custom, in three con-
gregations maturely examined the nature and
discussed the proofs of the proposed miracles,
His* Holiness, Pope Pius IX., graciously ap-
proved of them, by decreeing that the solemn
beatification of the Servant of God, John Berch-
mans, could be proceeded with in perfect
security.

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 887

BRIEF OF BEATIFICATION

OP THE

VENERABLE SERVANT OP GOD, JOHN BERCHMANS.

PIUS IX. POPE,

FOR A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL.

As youth is a kind of foundation for man-
hood, and as men do not, without great difficulty
in after life, turn themselves from the path upon
which they have travelled from their earliest
years, therefore that there might be no excuse
on the score of age or strength for swerving
from the path of virtue, it has been arranged
by the all- wise Providence of God, that there
should flourish from time to time in the Church,
some one youth eminent for sanctity, on whom
that high eulogium might be passed: “Made
perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long
time — who abundantly compensated for the
short span of his life by the greatness of his
merits, and excited others to the imitation of
his virtues. Among such may be fairly num-
bered the Venerable John Berchmans, scholas-
tic of the Society of Jesus, who strove so vigo-
rously to guard his baptismal innocence unsul-
lied, and adorned his soul with such an abund-
ance of virtues, that he seems to have shone
forth as a new star to illumine the whole Church,

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and more especially the Religious Order of
which he was a member. He was born in the
town of Diest, in Brabant, of parents not dis-
tinguished by rank or fortune ; but conspicu-
ous for religious zeal, and was by them trained
to every virtue. The child, being blessed with
an excellent disposition, amply repaid them
for their solicitude. For to a degree quite be-
yond his years, he became distinguished for the
gravity of his manners : never did he give any
trouble, nor seek amusement in the sports com-
mon to children ; but it was his delight to be con-
stantly in the church, and to withdraw himself
from intercourse with his companions, in order
to betake himself to solitude, and there turn
his soul to the contemplation of divine things.
He had attained his eleventh year, when he
was admitted for the first time to the Holy
Table, and so great was the ardor of his love,
when he approached to receive the most sacred
Body of Christ, that the divine fire glowed on
the whole countenance of the most chaste youth.
Being sent to college to study the rudiments of
literature, piety no less than letters became the
object of his endeavors; so that as often as his
fellow students cast their eyes upon him, they
were excited as by some silent monitor to the love
of purity, modesty, and every kind of virtue.
To bind himself more closely to the service of

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 839

God, he asked and obtained his father’s consent
to enrol himself among the number of the
clergy. Three years afterwards, however, he
heard that his father, on account of his narrow
fortune, had determined to apply him 'to some
trade, in order to have his help in obtaining
the means of subsistence. News such as this
was sad and afflicting for John : he began to im-
plore his father not to withdraw him from the
ecclesiastical profession which he had so eagerly
embraced: he declared that he had cast aside
all anxiety for temporal interests, and rested all
his hopes upon Divine Providence. Having
obtained his wish, ho proceeded to put the
finish to his literary studies, and to press on
with alacrity in the path of virtue upon which
he had entered ; and therefore, as he saw his
innocence surrounded by very many dangers,
in order to place it in safety, in imitation of St.
Aloysius Gonzaga, whose life he had long and
deeply pondered, having weighed the matter
well and implored the assistance of heaven, he
determined to give himself to the Society of
Jesus. And, indeed, the particular form of life
followed by that Religious Order was above
all others pleasing to this innocent youth, who
was all on fire with love for his neighbor, be-
cause he felt certain that by embracing it an
opportunity would be given him of passing to

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the remotest . parts of the earth, to pour the light
of faith upon barbarous nations. Long and
earnestly had John to struggle to gain the con-
sent of his parents, who placed their hopes and
those of their family on their son, and that all
the more, as they saw him endowed with such
great virtue.

At length, having obtained the desired leave,
he was received into the Society at Mechlin, in
the seventeenth year of his age. He entered it
as a haven of security and rest, and gave him-
self forthwith to that more perfect course of
life, which all can esteem and admire, but very
few take up and follow. Indeed, he shone as a
most perfect model of every virtue, not only for
Novices, but even for the more advanced among
his brethren. Beginning with humility, which
is the root of all other virtues, full of a mean
opinion of himself, he performed the lowest
offices with alacrity. Meek and gentle towards
others, but stern and severe towards himself,
he used to scourge his tender body, and took
food in such small quantity, as seemed scarce
sufficient for sustaining and recruiting his
strength. Even the slightest rules of religious
discipline he observed and guarded with the
greatest care; he did not allow the smallest
particle of time to pass in idleness, but spent
all usefully, either in reading or praying, or

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BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS. 341

conversing upon spiritual things. w Nothing de-
lighted him more than to turn his heart and
soul to God as to a most loving Father. In
meditating upon Him, and paying his homage
to Him, so great was the ardor of the love with
which he burned, that his heart was too narrow ?
to contain its noble flame. The most Blessed
Virgin, Mother of God, he honored with every
mark of devotion, — even from his earliest years
he chose her for his heavenly Patroness, to
guard for him the flower of his virginity. The
two years of his novitiate being completed, he
was admitted to the simple vows, which he pro-
nounced all the more fervently, because he knew
that by these vows he was to consecrate himself
irrevocably to God. Then he was sent to Ant-
werp, and afterwards to Borne, to give himself
to the study of philosophy. Nor indeed could
anything have been more to his liking, than to
make a stay in the City which is the chief seat
and the bulwark of the Catholic Beligion ;
where he could pay his homage to the sacred
remains of the Princes of the Apostles, as also
to the tombs of his Father St. Ignatius and
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, in whose footsteps he was
walking. And so he came to the Roman Col-
lege to study philosophy, and led such a life
there, that the heavenly youth Aloysius, by
whose virtues that house had been ennobled,

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almost seemed to have returned again to life.
At length, ripe for heaven, he was attacked by
a sickness, which, though trifling at first, grew
worse and worse, until it caused his death on
the 13th of August, in the year 1621, before he
had completed his twenty -third year.

Virtue so eminent and constant as his, could
not fail to draw the attention of all ; so that his
reputation for sanctity, which had been gaining
ground during his life, increased and spread all
the more after the chaste youth had exchanged
this mortal life for a more blessed one. Where-
fore, according to custom, an account of his life
and virtues was drawn up at Antwerp and at
Rome, to the end that afterwards an inquiry
into the heroic degree of his virtues might be
instituted by authority of the Holy See. But
his cause was interrupted for a long time, until
it was called to life again by the report of the
miracles, by which God was said to have pro-
claimed the sanctity of his servant. Therefore,
under Pope Gregory XVI., our Predecessor,
after the arrangement of such preliminaries as
were n ecessary in a case of this kind, in the Con-
gregation of Cardinals charged with the care of
Sacred Rites, an inquiry was set on foot into
the virtues for which the Venerable John had
been eminent, and these our Predecessor, the
same Pope Gregory XVI., with the assent

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of the sarns Congregation, on the 5th of June,
in the year 1848, declared, to have reached an
heroic height. Next followed an examination
of the miracles, which were said to have been
wrought by the Almighty through the interees- >
sion of His Venerable Servant John Berchmans.
All the circumstances being weighed and con-
sidered with the greatest care by the judges,
three were found to be true and indubitable
miracles; and We, after imploring the help of
Heaven, at length, on the 27th of February of
the present pear 1865, published a decree con-
cerning the truth of the said three miracles;
and We allowed.further measures to be taken,
without the necessity of an examination of any
other miracles.

This alone remained, to ask the Cardinals of
the aforesaid Congregation, whether in their opi-
nion it were safe to decree the honors of the
Blessed to the Venerable John. Wherefore on
the 8th of April of the present year, the same
Congregation of Cardinals, assembled before us,
after taking the votes of the Consultors, were
unanimous in their opinion, that the Venerable
John might be declared Blessed, with all the
the usual privileges, until solemn ceremony of
his canonization should be performed. We then
having implored assistance from the heavenly
Father of Lights, published a decree on the mat-
ter on the 2nd of May, of the current year.

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Now, in order that in this degenerate age
we may propose to the young, surrounded as
they are by so many snares laid by perfidious
men, a perfect model for their imitation ; and
that we may find for them in Heaven a Patron,
by whose aid and under whose protection they
may come forth from these snares unscathed ;
moved, moreover, thereunto by the prayers of
the whole Society of Jesus, by the advice and
with the consent of the aforesaid Congregation,
of our Apostolic authority, by virtue of these
letters, we grant permission that the Venerable
Servant of God, John Berchmans, be called
hereafter by the name of Blessed, and his relics
be exposed for the public veneration of the
faithful, (though they are not to be carried in
public processions,) and his picture be sur-
rounded with rays of glory. Moreover, by
Our authority we allow a yearly office to be
said in his honor, and a Mass of the Common of
Confessors to be celebrated with proper prayers
approved by Us, according to the Rubrics of
the Roman Missal and Breviary. The recital
of this Office and the celebration of the Mass,
we allow only in Rome and, its district, in the
diocese of Mechlin, and in all Churches and
Religious Houses of the Society of Jesus, by
all the faithful who are under obligation to
recite the Canonical hours, and as for the

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Masses; we allow them to be celebrated by all
Priests, secular as well as regular, frequenting
churches in which the feast is kept. Finally we
allow the solemnity of the Beatification of the
Venerable John Berchmans, to be celebrated
within one year from the date of this letter, in
the above-mentioned churches, with the Office
and Mass of a Greater Double ; which indeed
we direct to be done on a day to be fixed by the
Ordinary, and after the same solemnity shall
have been celebrated in the Vatican Basilica:
notwithstanding all Constitutions and Apos-
tolic Ordinations, and all decrees issued de non
cultu , and all others whatsoever to the contrary.
And We desire that the same credit which
would be given to the signification of Our will
in this letter, be also given in juridical decis-
ions to printed copies of this, provided they be
signed by the hand of the Secretary of the
above-mentioned Congregation, and bear the
seal of the Prefect.

Given at Rome, at St. Peter’s, under the seal
of the Fisherman, on the 9th day of the Month
of May, in the year of our Lord 1865, and the
19th of Our Pontificate.

K Card. Paracciani Clabelli.

THE END.

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The First Feast of Blessed John in Borne.

(Sunday, 13th August, 1865.)

We give here a very beautiful description of the first Feast
in Rome, taken from the London Tablét, and we think it will
be very interesting in eonneetion with the ljfe :

To the Editor of thh London Tablet.

Bear Sir : As a festival, such as that we have just been keep-
ing here in Rome, eannot come around again for many a day, I
venture to believe that your readers will care for a fuller account
of it than that which the limits of one of her able letters will
allow your correspondent to give.

The approach of the feast of so young a Saint has naturally
aroused a great deal of fervor among ns. It was impossible
that the consideration of the life of Blessed John should fail to
make a deep impression. For it was a life only distinguished
by its sweet simplicity and happy joyousness, and by the uncom-
mon exactitude and merrybeartedDess with which he performed
his most trivial duties, and seized the merest opportunities, and
so a life unmarked by those extraordinary favors which make us
ordinary men hold our breath and almost despair. From the
Beatification up to Friday last there has been no cessation to
the Novenas, and every morning’s little Function has attracted
considerable numbers. Exvotus had begun to gather about his
pictures, and the visits to the altar over which it was placed had
been frequent and general. Your readers will remember that,
by what seemed a strange ordering of Providence, the first move-
ment towards the Beatification of Blessed John fell through, and
that his body, after laying apart for several years in expectation
of the resumption of the cause, was taken off to tho common
burial-place, and laid there with no other mark but his name
written in ink upon the whitewashed cose of lead that contained
what was believed to be his body. Before the iDk bad faded,
Almighty Ged interposed, and some suitable miracles recalled

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Blessed John to memory. It was then thought wise to open the
case, and verify the body, This turned out no easy matter- -
the leaden oase was not the original coffin, and all that was
known was that on the original coffin there had been a leaden
tablet scratched with his name. This was searched for appa-
rently in vain, and only after recovering the bones and dost and
pieoes of coffin was it found in the bottom of the case. Soon
after this, Benedict XIV inaugurated a new movement, but the
political difficulties of the last and the present century have re-
tarded the accomplishment of the pious desire until our own
times. It would seem as if Almighty God had been reserving
for this obscure Flemish lad a destiny grander than that of his
two nobler brothers. The marvellous charity of the sweet-souled
Polish boy, and the strange union of the deepest penance with
the brightest innocence that marks the young Italian Prince, will
always tell upon individual rulers. But the every-day life of
Blessed John, who went through the ordinary duties of his state,
and improved his opportunities with so grand a fervor and heroi-
city, as to moke every one who reads his life, feel utterly ashamed
of his own laxness, and laziness, and stupidity, will probably tell
more widely upon the body of Christian youths so tempted to be
disloyal and half asleep, when the world is first pooh-poohing the
idea of being loyal to Jesus Christ, and yearns for Him, as it
never dared do before.

For many weeks past preparations have been going on in the
Church of the Roman College. The Church of St. Ignatius, one
may as well say, is a very large church, and more than double
the size of the renowned Gesu. It has a wide and lofty nave,
and two good aisles, which are more properly a succession of large
chapels, three on either side. These are entered from each other
by arches resting on lofty pillars. Fine round arches and pillars
open from the nave into the aisle chapels, though the division is
really made by massive piers set with Corinthian pilasters. Only
one of the chapels has marble pillars, and is coated with marble,
but the pillars of this chapel of St. Joseph — the upper part of
which marks the corridor wherein was the room in which St.
Aloysius died — are coated with Sicilian jasper, the walls are

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covered with finest marbles, and the altar oolvmns are of Terd
antique. All the chapels have cupolas, but this cupola of St.
Joseph's chapel is the only one that is painted. There are paint-
ings also on the upper walls of this chapel. As compared with
this, the other chapels are bare and white-washy, and the stuc-
coed pilasters of the nave and the stucco frieze above them, and
the brick pavement, create an impression rather damaging, until
the eye takes in the scale of the building, and rests on the painted
roof, upon which the famous Jesuit artist Father Pozzi lavished
his strange perspective in the apotheism of St. Ignatius and the
earlier Saints of the Society. Passing from the nave there are
the transepts which form two immense chapels, decorated alike
with a wealth of fine marbles. The floors are patterns of colored
marbles, the grand balustrades of the altars are of fine yellow
and verd antique, the dais of the sanctuary is all of fine marble,
the rather heavy-looking Corinthian pediment over the altar is
of yellow and verd antique, and each rests on four serpent- twisted
columns of verd antique of great size, with gilt capitals and bases,
and gilt leaves wreathed around them. All around the altars
and the walls are variegated marbles. Over each altar is a grand
relief, the figures colossal. To the right as we face the high altar
is St. Aloysius borne to heaven by angels, his figure in high re-
lief, and the pose and expression very striking and of a masterly
beauty. To the left is a famous Annunciation in half relief, de-
signed by Father Pozzi. Under the altar to the right, in a beau-
tiful urn of lapis lazuli, richly decorated and guarded by boy
angels, lies St. Aloysius. Under the altar of the Annunciation
has been placed the body of Blessed John, not as yet in an urn
of lapis lazuli, but in one made like the other, and painted with
that power f imitating marble which these Roman workmen
possess so largely. It is also richly gilt, and its centre medal-
lion is a silvered bust of Blessed John as he lay dead on bis pil-
low. Here the boy angels are made only of plaster, but they are
very happily cast, and while one holds up his beloved crucifix
and rosary, the other holds up his equally dear book of the Con-
stitutions. The vaults of the transept are also by Father Pozzi,
and the vault of the chancel is equally remarkable. The cbanoel

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is altogether a very fine one, and ends in an apsis. A singular
contrast with all this is the dome of the church, which has been
left to the last, and remains dark and unadorned, for upon it has
been placed the famous observatory of the Roman College.

The aspect of the cbnrch which I have so lamely described
has been for the last few years in course of transformation.
Every inch of stucco and bareness in the nave and transepts and
chancel has been covered with hangings or panellings of crimson
velvet or silk damask, and cloth of gold and silver. The white
pilasters were turned into pilasters of crimson richly banded
with gilt lace, the columns were covered with velvet and pat-
terns of gilt and silver lace disposed upon them. The round
form of the arches were traced in velvet and gilt lace, and the
very keystones were gilt. The inner side of the arches were
richly draped with crimson silk and velvet, and white muslin
festooned with gilt and silvered lace. Before the chapels of the
Immaculate Heart and St. Joseph, the white muslin was sup-
planted by cloth of silver. The stucco figures of the friese
stood out from a crimson background, and nothing was left bare
but the masonic cornice of marble with its fine mouldings, which
was only gracefully festooned, and the capitals of the columns,
white or gilt, and their marble bases. Curtains of white and red
silk draped the great entrance of the church, and immediately
over the door inside was a painting representing Blessed John,
as he lay exposed in the church after death. At the other end
of the church the high altar was canopied in crimson velvet and
doth of silver, and the fine columns at the apex, cased in velvet,
were covered with the richest devices. Under the canopy was
an oval painting of Blessed John rising to Heaven — itself rather
indifferent — but it had served its purpose also at St. Peter’s, as the
picture of the Beatification. All about the altar, and the two
projecting singing galleries just outside the sanctuary, the panel-
ling was of the richest kind and tastiest devices. Besides all
this, there were the arrangements for lighting the church. The
cornice of the nave and transepts was lit with tall wax candles
four or five feet long, arranged in groups of threes, fives, sevens,
and elevens, of gradations in height caused by the form of the

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branches which held them. Every arch in the nave was traced
by five glass chandeliers of large eandles. The capitals of the
pilasters were also traced in chandeliers. Immense chandeliers
of rare large candles hung in the arches, and marked the line of
the pilasters. The great arch of the chancel was completely
traced out from near the ground on either side by large chande-
liers. A similar arch of light traced out the commencement of
the apsis. In the galleries, on the walls, in the lines of the tran-
septs were lights dispersed in chandeliers or in branches. ▲ very
beautiful effect was produced over the canopy of the high altar
by a tasteful arrangement of some very tall lights about the
famous words that are painted there. Ego vobis Romeo propi-
tius ero.” I endeavored to count the lights and made a reckon-
ing which I feel since was under the mark. Not including the
six lights upon every altar — the double rows on some of the
altars, the number of lights about the altar of Blessed John, the
lights on the high altar, which at the close of Sunday’s Functions
were considerably increased, not including any sanctuary lights,
I reckon them as 1950. Of these there were 060 in the transept,
and in the chancel 782. The effects of this temple traced in
light may perhaps be imagined by any of your readers who have
seen a grand Roman Festa ,* to describe it to those who have not
would utterly exceed my poor powers of description. It was the
grandest thing I ever saw,— it was at once complete and uniqüe,
and had none of that distance and vastness which make the in-
terior lighting of St. Peter’s seem quite beyond one’s grasp to
realize. The windows were all curtained, so as to make the
effect more perceptible.

▲11 this preparation came to an end on Thursday, and Thurs-
day evening was fixed for the translation of the body, which had
been taken some weeks ago from the common sepulchre, and car-
ried in state to the upper chapel. From this it had been borne
on Thursday to the Aula Maxima, the upper oorridor of the
Quadrangle, and there it lay in state till six o’clock. The corri-
dors of the Quadrangle, along which the procession was to pass,
had been prepared with much taste. The inner walls were hung
with silk and satin damask, and Prince Barberini had lent his

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fat%>us old scripture tapestries, which went round the whole line
of windows. The arches were hung with white and red silk cur-
tains, and the upper was filled in with red and white and yellow
and white, arranged in fluted rays with capital effect. In the
corridor facing the great entrance were suspended large oval
portraits of the five stars of the Roman College, each filling an
arch. In the centre was placed Blessed John, haring on his
right St. Aloysius and Blessed Leonard of Porte Maurice, and on
his left St. Camillas of Lellis and Blessed John Baptist de Rossi.
Under the portrait of B. John was this inscription :

“ Joanni Berohmans
Quinto ex condiscipulis nostris
Ad cælitum honores evecto
Atenim festo cultu exornavimus.”

There were flowers in plenty dispersed about the picture ; be-
tween the arches were stands of flowers, and in the piers were
placed elegant couplets, happily expressing his various virtues,
while the pavement was a mass of bay leaves and box.

At six o’clock the procession began to leave the Maxima,
chanting the Te Deum, the pauses between the verses being
filled up by the powerful band of the gendarmerie. It passed
along the upper corridor and down the east stairoase, and filed
along three of the lower corridors and the Porteria into the
church, where it passed by the south aisle up the nave towards
the High Altar. The procession was very long. It was headed
by the cross-bearer of the sodality of the Prima Primaria and
bis attendants, the cross-bearer being the son of a Prince of one
of the oldest Roman families. Then oame the externs of the
schools with their professors — so far as philosophy. The mem-
bers of the oolleges and seminaries eame next in their various
uniforms. Behind the German College came the cross-bearer of
the church and the Jesuit novices, scholastics and professors, all
in cottas, followed by the Bishop, the Archbishop of Selueia in
partibus, with his ministers. Then came the choir of the Roman
College, and hoys strewing flowers. The chest which contained
the body was borne by five scholastics in Dalmatics, who bore

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on their shoulders the velvet-colored poles of the bier, rich with
crimson and gold, and richly oanopied, which supported the
chest. On the chest itself was a white silk pall and a large
wreath of rare flowers, festoons of rare flowers decorating also
the bier. The Jesuit Fathers from the other houses followed
the bier, and various other persons admitted to the procession,
which was closed in by the band of gendarmerie. Unhappily,
one well-known face was missing — the Father General being too
unwell to come into Rome from the oonntry where he had been
recruiting, though he managed to return on the following day.
This procession had a striking character of its own, for in it
there were many men walking humbly who have earned a repu-
tation wide as civilization. Every one carried a long taper,
and by the time the body entered and the procession began to
move up the nave, the effect in the church was very remarka-
ble. The tfirong in the corridors had been notable, but there
no women were allowed. But in the church had gathered a
vast crowd, the kneeling sea of heads in the dim nave and aisles
contrasting with the stage of lights in the transepts about the
High Altar — the whole illumination coming from the tapers of
the procession, as only a few lights burned on the High Altar
and the Altar of the Annunoiation. Through that crowd the
bier was borne up to the High Altar and set down before it>
while the Iste Confessor was sung and the Collect said. It was
then borne to its resting-place, and deposited on the New Altar,
and later placed privately in the urn.

Saturday. — This second day of the Triduo was marked by
many more communions and by a vaster orowd of worshippers.
A peculiarity of to-day was a Greek low mass at the High Altar,
at which the students of the Greek College made their commu-
nion. It was at the Greek College that B. John made the Dis-
putation which tried his strength too much. The High Mass of
to-day was pontificated by an Augustinian Bishop, Monsignor
Michselief, and was remarkable for its exceeding beanty.
Thundering orchestras are very rare in Rome, and the double
choir of the Roman College needed no orchestra. In the pauses
of the voiees, instruments were to-day introduced with splendid

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effect. The panegyric was preached by Father Gallerani, a
young Ferrareee Jesuit, who has a great reputation in Rome.
Father Gallerani is a spare man, of ascetic aspect, and his voice
is not powerful, though it seems to aoquire strength. He can
always fill the Gesu — he was less distinctly heard in all parts of
St. Ignatius by the vast crowd that had gathered to listen to
him. He preaches simply, but his ideas are beautiful ; he uses
action less than most Italian preachers, but what he does use is
never florid or studied. His secret lies in this : his words liter*
ally burn by their earnestness. There is no doubt of his mean-
ing fully every syllable he utters. To-day he preached from the
words, “ Incipe, et fao secundum exemplar quod tibi in monte
monstratum est.” The “monte” was the Vatican, and the
words were the Pope’s words to the Christian youth of the
world. He powerfully contrasted the manners of B. John with
the manners current among the youth of our days — the true
philosophy of his self-education with the false philosophy of
theirs. He preached for quite an hour, but no one seemed
weary of listening. At the Vespers, the venerable Capuchin
Bishop of Muro, in Naples, pontificated. The voices of the
boys seemed to have reached perfection, and there were some
fine solos by members of the Papal Chapel. The crowd beggars
all description.

Sunday. — The day of the feast was equal to the most sanguine
desire. The doors of the church were opened at half-past 5 a.m.
A large crowd was waiting outside as early as five. By seven
o’clock the churoh was so full that it was difficult to make one’s
way. Communions were incessant, and priests were stationed to
give communion out of mass to prevent any delay in the masses.
Several Cardinals said mass, and members of schools and reli-
gious ladies visited the shrine. There were offerings of choice
flowers, mothers brought their children to lay them before the
altar, or to have them, if sick, touched by a relic. At eight
o’clock the students of the college entered in solemn procession,
singing the Psalms of our Lady. All the colleges and seminaries
that attend the Gregorian University and are still in Rome, were
present. Our own college was in the country. There were

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Tnr. LirE of

borne in the prooession wreaths and baskets of magnificent
flowers, and letters to B. John, which were deposited at his altar.
At the high altar Cardinal Saoeoni said mass for the students,
and gare communion, with the assistance of a priest, to the vast
numbers. Every one received a compendium of the Saint’s life,
and the mass which was raised by mottets ended with a grand
Te Deum. At half-past ten the High Mass was pontificated by
Monsignor Castellaoci, Archbishop of Petra, in partibus, and
Vicegerent of Rome. The crowds that were present during the
morning were beyond all comprehension, for the feast had also
attracted whole multitudes of people from the country. The
amount of demands for pictures, big and little, and the lives of
the Saints and compendia of lives, during the three days reached
a height which seemed to threaten beggary to the College. The
church was not shut till long past one, and at three there were
numbers waiting in the burning August sun at the different
doors of the church and college. The visits to the rooms in the
afternoon can only be described as the passing and repassing of
continuous streams. The only visitors were of course males, but
they were persons of almost every grade of life . The workhouse
boys were prominent amongst the number. The room of St.
Aloysius and the chapel wherein St. Stanislaus was received into
the Society were equally public. The sight in the church beg-
gared all experience of Roman crowds. Happily a Roman crowd
is one of the gentlest and most good-tempered in the world, or in
such a scene as that of yesterday afternoon in the Church of St.
Ignatius, there would have been some serious difficulties. Every-
body had his or her prayer to say before the shrine, that was
glittering with light and set with the rarest flowers. The pane-
gyric was not long but very eloquent, and preached by Mon-
signor Anivetti, Domestic Prelate of the Pope. The Vespers
were pontificated by Monsignor Clemente, Bishop of Damascus.
Their elaborate singing was so curtailed that they were finished
by the Are Maria. They did not lose by the curtailment. There
were fewer solos, but the voices of the boys were at their best,
and the harmonies beyond description beautiful. More lights
were plaoed about the High Altar, and the appearance of the

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church at the close of Vespers was quite indescribable. The
people still crowded the church, not dwindling off as they gene-
rally do at the close of Vespers, and Benedictus followed. When
the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, the Te Deum began. As
the choir and the congregation sang alternate verses, the effect
was extremely grand. Then followed a fine Tantum Ergo by
the choir, and the Bishop gave Benediction. The corridors of
the Quadrangle were once more swarming with men and boys,
and the rest of the congregation stayed to look at the façade of
the church traced out cleverly in light. A military band was
stationed there, and the Piazza was more or less full for a long
time. The other parts of the College were also illuminated and
the neighboring houses contributed their quota of lights.

In this way came to a close those three happy days, and the
first Feast of Blessed John Berchmans will be a life-long memo-
ry to the least, as well as the greatest who took part in it. The
effect that may come of it who shall attempt to measure ? .God’s
ways are not our ways. But surely not for nothing will He have
allowed this young life to come so vividly before the youth of
Rome in these evil days. There must be something great to
come out of a life that has attained honor greater than ever king
or emperor even, amongst bis fellow men, through the turning
his back entirely upon all that the world holds up for love and
reverence.

E. H. MARTIN.

We also annex a letter from Belgium, giving an account of
the celebration of the first feast in his native city of Diest s

Ghent, August 18th, 1865.

All here are occupied with the solemnities in honor of the
Blessed Berchmans, whose beatification, as you are aware, took
place at Rome the 28th of May last, our Very Reverend Provincial
and several other Belgian Fathers being present. The oere-
monies are said to have been of the most magnificent character,
and even to have surpassed the usual celebrations of the kind,
which are always carried out at Rome with suoh unequalled

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splendor. Our Cardinal Archbishop of Malines was present by
invitation from the Sovereign Pontiff, and brought with him on
his return, some valuable relics, a bone from the saint’s forearm,
which he has had deposited in his metropolitan cathedral, on a
superb altar lately erected for the purpose, and which he has
consecrated in honor of his blessed Diocesan. The solemnities
on this occasion lasted three days, consisting of imposing pro-
cession^ sermons, Ac., with a spontaneous illumination of the
whole city. His eminence had petitioned that all the clergy of
his archdiocese should be favored with the power of celebrating
every year, the Feast of the Beatified, which has been fixed on
the 13th of August, the day of his death. Accordingly, the
festival was celebrated on Sunday, 13th inst., in all the
churches, and the blessed John Berchmans was publicly invoked
for all the faithful ; Diest, his native city, endeavoring, as was
natural, to carry away the palm. “It is now fifteen days.”
writes a friend from Dieste, “since our blessed com patriot re-
ceived the homages of the oity of Malines, where he finished his
course of humanities, and commenced his religious life in the
novitiate of the Society of Jesus.” It was fitting that his
Feast should be celebrated the first time with the greatest so-
lemnity in the city which gave him birth. For a long time the
inhabitants of Dieste had been preparing to pay to their sainted
fellow-citizen this debt of affection and respect, and we are
most happy to add that their zeal and piety rendered the event
every way worthy their elaborate preparation.

On the Saturday before the solemnity, Diest presented a
most animated sight. The streets were planted with ever-
greens. The fronts of the houses were hung with garlands and
inscriptions, while the parochial church of St. Sulpice presented
in the words of our correspondent, “ un coup d’œil ravissant
From all parts of the vaulted roof descended festoons and ban-
ners, with statues of the various saints of the Society of Jesus,

\ the arms of Pius IX, Ac. Finally, in the choir there ap-
peared over the altar, the picture of Berchmans, with hands
clasped, the eyes raised to heaven, and borne on a cloud, as if
asoending to take possession of eternal glory. On Sunday

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morning His Eminence the Cardinal celebrated Mass at six
o’clock, and gare the Holy Communion ; at ten o’clock the
grand High Mass was snng by Mgr. Laniers, Vicar- (Jen oral, in
fall pontificals, and with all the ceremonial need at Rome on oc-
casions of like solemnity. An immense bat respectful throng
filled the oharch, while strangers from all parts of the city were
continually passing in and ont.

At three o’olock the procession began to form. The garrison
of the city, which the military authorities had placed at the
disposal of the clergy, maintained order, and gave to the cere-
mony a character still more imposing.

It was outside the city, near a chapel dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin, that young Berchmans used to make frequent
visits, and here was deposited the case containing his relics.
The clergy intoned the Litany of the saints ; at the chanting of
the Sancta Marta ora pro nobis , the bells sounded and the pro-
cession moved forward.

At the head walked the members of the Sodalities of the
Holy Virgin, who had come from Louvain to venerate the new
patron of youth. They were followed by the various confra-
ternities and societies of Dieste and the surrounding country,
each preceded by its banners, and carrying tapers, statues, de-
vices, and flags. Between these two files of pilgrims walked
the children of the most noble families of the city ; some carried
lilies, some curious and emblematio devioes, and others vessels
of perfumes or garlands of flowers. Several assumed characters
of the principal personages referred to in the ceremonies.
Berchmans was represented in a special manner between St.
Aloysius and St. Stanislaus Kostka. After the cross defiled
slowly more than a hundred eoclesiastics, each bearing in his
hand a lighted taper. Lastly, came the reliquary, borne by the
ecclesiastics of Dieste, and aooorapanied by eight priests in
copes. Among them were the Deans of Alentours and their
Provincial; while around it, as a guard of honor, were the
CanoDs of the Chapter of Malines, Priests of the diocese and of
the different Religious Orders ; after these advanced the Cardi-
nal, followed by his Vioars-general, and a platoon of infantry

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358 THE LIFE OF BLESSED JOHN BERCHMANS.

closed the line, thongh thousands of the faithful followed, pray-
ing and iniroking in a load voice the Beatified.

As soon as they had entered the eharch the Cardinal blessed
them three times with the relics of their sanctified fellow-citisen.
An hour after the Cardinal intoned the hymn of the Beatified»
and the panegyric was pronounced by our Father Schoopts in
the presence of an immense audience. The fête was continued
the entire week with solemn offices, sermons, Ac., Ac. The
house where the Saint was born is to be converted into a chapel
in his honor.

And now, my dear friend, what salutary thoughts should
present themselves to our minds! Behold how the Lord glori-
fies His faithful servants, and causes them to be honored by
men. They left all things, to unite themselves with and follow
Him in poverty, humility, obedience, suffering, and the de-
rision of the world, and for this He returns them a hundred
fold in glory, honor, riches and jubilation without end. Oh.
pray, then, for me, that I may imitate, at least in a distant
manner, my blessed Brother Berohmans, and that like him I
may be faithful in little things ! And you, dear reader, take
him for your model, patron, and guide towards perfection.

Enclosed I send you a photograph of the Beatified and lita-
nies. Please have them translated into Bnglish, in order to
propagate devotion as much as possible towards this young and
so amiable saint. Ton will soon begin to see its wonderful
effects. And greatest joy of all, I send herewith two little relics
of the Saint, — pieces of his soutan. Yon can guarantee them.

Your brother and very dear friend in J. C.,

P. J. WALLE, S. J

To — — , Philadelphia, Pa.

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